Ruling against wiretaps deepens partisan divide

Federal judge struck down domestic surveillance as unconstitutional

Jonathan Weisman
The Washington Post
Updated: 5:54 a.m. ET Aug. 19, 2006

A federal judge's ruling that the National Security Agency's warrantless wiretapping is unconstitutional set off a flurry of political responses yesterday, as Republicans tried to keep control of the national security debate amid signs that their own party's ranks may be breaking under the pressure of the Iraq war.

President Bush concluded a discussion on the economy with a challenge to Democrats, many of whom had hailed U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor's ruling that the NSA's wiretapping efforts violate both the Bill of Rights and federal law.

"Those who herald this decision simply do not understand the nature of the world in which we live," Bush said after meeting with his economic team at Camp David. "This country of ours is at war, and we must give those whose responsibility it is to protect the United States the tools necessary to protect this country in a time of war."

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We understand, Mr Bush. We understand clearly. What we don't understand is why you deliberately avoid any legal route to get what you want (which ARE there, in place, and at your disposal), instead opting for underhanded, unconstitutional methods.

Why not try answering that one sometime?

Anonymous