Democrats put off vote on eavesdrop bill

On a day of sharp debate over the bill, Republicans accused Democrats of giving U.S. constitutional rights to suspected terrorists and Bush said the legislation would be a setback in the fight against terrorism.

What makes this so unpalatable is that the reason the U.S. rights are in the Constitution is because they are "universal truths," "self-evident." We have no proprietary ownership of human rights, to parcel out or withhold according to our political calculations! This is the self-consuming power-lust of the blind, blinded by their own fear and greed for power.

The Washington Post reports that

"There is absolutely no reason our intelligence officials should have to consult government lawyers before listening in to terrorist communications with the likes of Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda and other foreign terror groups," said House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio).

The measure "extends our Constitution beyond American soil to our enemies who want to cut the heads off Americans," said Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Tex.).

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