Matt, why would anyone be against running the exact same program, with exactly the same speed, effectiveness and results but with oversight and within the law?

The reasons the administration has provided for not following the law are:
-I don’t have to, so there!
-It is too hard to submit all those requests.

I expect more from my President. You expect less.

Matt, aren't you just a little bit concerned that a number of high-ranking Repubs have expressed their disapproval of the Hayden nomination, for reasons that have nothing to do with the surveillance issue? Also, there are rumors afoot that Hayden has important ties to MZM, the company Mitchell Wade used to head. Once again I fear that the Dems can just sit on the sideline and watch the Repubs beat themselves up over this.

Ricorun,

I can't speak for Matt, but I was watching Chambliss on the news this AM talking on that very subject - that he's got concerns about a general taking over CIA. While he talked and talked about it, I never heard him get to a specific objection, other than the fact that Hayden is a General...this doesn't impress me all that much.

It should be kept in mind that I'm all for abolishing the CIA - that I don't like its corporate mindset and believe it has, from the very beginning, been riddled with spies and incompetants. To me, putting a General in charge means we've got someone we can absolutely rely on to be in charge of CIA...

I doubt that anyone who comments here (including me) knows enough about what's going on behind the scenes on this nomination to do anything more than speculate. I'll reserve judgement until after the confirmation hearings. I'm inclined to think, however, that the loose-lips CIA would benefit from the discipline of a military oriented leader. In the end, effectiveness is waaaaaay more important than appearances.

ricorun, did you get my email address? I'm looking forward to exchanging some thoughts with you.

RUSSERT: Now, Miss Pelosi, you've expressed concerns about the eavesdropping program, but you wouldn't end the program, would you?

PELOSI: I believe that, again, our Congress and our president must have the best possible intelligence, and it's possible to do that under the law.

RUSSERT: You would end the existing program?

PELOSI: No, I wouldn't end the existing program.

So, the head of the Demorats wouldn't end the existing program of eavesdropping on terrorists. Priceless, just priceless.

A logical next question from Russert should have been:

Will you leave it as it is or will you make modifications. Will you require judicial warrants?
Russert was too interested in attacking Pelosi. In fairness she dodged some questions, but he was much tougher on her than he has been on Republican guests.

So much for the MSM liberal bias. Again. Part xxxinfinity.

I'll reserve judgement until after the confirmation hearings.

Spook: That's a very intelligent approach. I will try to learn from you on this and reserve judgement too.

Spook,
No, I didn't. I've been watching diligently too, so I don't think it slipped through the cracks.

As far as your Hayden comment goes, it is definitely true that effectiveness should trump all -- including allegiance. It seems to me very important to organize the CIA effectively so that is able to provide accurate, objective intelligence info, independently of other organizations. If Hayden is likely to owe more allegiance to the DoD or to the White House than he does to the CIA, then I don't think it's a good thing. I don't know that, but that appears to be the nature of the controversy.

Ash-hole,

For once, Russert asked a donk-turd tough questions. You should see him around Hitlary--she takes his nuts and puts 'em in a lockbox. He gets 'em back, as long as he gives her softball questions. Russert's a lib, but sometimes he does his job. Sometimes...

You'd better smile when you say Hillary, reefer. She's being courted by Rupert Murdoch, you know, the owner of your mother ship Fox News. Heck if she is as big a money slut as you guys make her out to be, she will soon be goose stepping with you and all your fascist friends.

You don't even know what a fascist is, Ash-licker. Geez, you're the stupidest 50-year-old I've ever encountered. And I have a sister and a cousin who are mentally retarded...and both are over 50.

BTW, it's "goose-stepping," with a hyphen. Like I said, you're stupid for your age. And I work in a toll booth? Bwahahahahaha!!!

Good-one reefer. I'll remember that. Sorry to hear about your relatives. I once taught special education classes.

So I understand you better knowing that MR gene does run in families. Bwahahahaha!

And I ran your booth today!

Just having some fun with you little buddy.