This:

A bill that expands President Bush's ability to wiretap American phones and conduct other forms of domestic surveillance will likely appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee next Thursday, RAW STORY has learned.

The bill, which was written by judiciary chairman Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), and which has been widely and publicly excoriated by Democratic members of the committee, contains provisions—such as the institution of program-wide warrants, and warrants that do not expire for a year—that would weaken the strict limits that currently govern the FISA courts.

and...

But a Senate aide who works closely with Specter tells RAW STORY that, “The White House said they would veto any bill that includes a provision for judicial review.”

“I can’t say that the bills work hand in hand,” an aide told RAW STORY adding that, though Specter’s bill does not make judicial review mandatory, “it makes it optional.”

You just gotta love an administration that doesn't trust America's own judges, even though they've been cleared for top-secret intelligence and have their own top secret court.

Apparently Bush and Cheney just cannot be bothered. Maybe in King George's case, he's had his head turned by his blue blood heritage. What's dead-eye Dick's excuse?

About author

media girl also blogs at other places.