Rep. Harman, Burned Before By Bush Admin., Vows Not To Touch The Fire Again

In what should be of absolutely no shock to the American people by now, the Bush Administration (via Michael Chertoff) wants to spy on the American people but says it is entirely cool. The Department of Homeland Security Secretary said that there is no reason to worry about civil liberties and that no, you can't look at why that is because its classified. Thankfully the Democrats in Congress aren't as gullible as they once were and the critical Committeewoman Jane Harman has shown she's learned from past mistakes.

From The Washington Post:

Democrats say Chertoff has not spelled out what federal laws govern the NAO, whose funding and size are classified. Congress barred Homeland Security from funding the office until its investigators could review the office's operating procedures and safeguards. The department submitted answers on Thursday, but some lawmakers promptly said the response was inadequate.

"I have had a firsthand experience with the trust-me theory of law from this administration," said Harman, citing the 2005 disclosure of the National Security Agency's domestic spying program, which included warrantless eavesdropping on calls and e-mails between people in the United States and overseas. "I won't make the same mistake. . . . I want to see the legal underpinnings for the whole program."

Thompson called DHS's release Thursday of the office's procedures and a civil liberties impact assessment "a good start." But, he said, "We still don't know whether the NAO will pass constitutional muster since no legal framework has been provided."

DHS officials said the demands are unwarranted. "The legal framework that governs the National Applications Office . . . is reflected in the Constitution, the U.S. Code and all other U.S. laws," said DHS spokeswoman Laura Keehner. She said its operations will be subject to "robust," structured legal scrutiny by multiple agencies.

With all due respect, Laura Keehner is an idiot. The constitution reflects Harman's concerns that this new agency is looked at and scrutinized by the Congress, not other agencies. It is the duty of the Congress to investigate the actions of the Executive, any Constitutional scholar (or high school civics student) can tell you that. Congratulations to Congresswoman Harman for finally realizing that trusting the Bush Administration to do anything is an episode of insanity.

Surprise, YOU Are On NSA Spy Satellite Camera!

If you do not think that having your phone tapped by the NSA without public knowledge was bad enough, then the Bush Administration has just the plan for you. Ya know those cool spy satellites from those CIA movies that can track terrorists with infrared cameras in space? Well, they actually do exist and now they are going to be used (or may already) on ordinary Americans. Just like in Will Smith's Enemy of the State, law enforcement agencies are going to be able to use high power cameras to check on people from the outer edges of the atmosphere. Welcome to the 21st century!

From RawStory:

A plan to dramatically widen US law enforcement agencies' access to data from powerful spy satellites is moving toward implementation, as Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff expects to finalize a charter for the program this week, according to a new report.

Chertoff insists the scheme to turn spy satellites -- that were originally designed for foreign surveillance -- on Americans is legal, although a House committee that would approve the program has not been updated on the program for three months.

"We still haven't seen the legal framework we requested or the standard operation procedures on how the NAO will actually be run," House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson tells the Wall Street Journal. Thompson was referring to the National Applications Office -- a new DHS subset that would coordinate access to spy-satellite data for non-military domestic agencies, including law enforcement.

Missing data on the framework? Congress hasn't heard about it yet? Well, they must have misplaced the documents or something, I'm sure the Bush Administration would never, ever, never ever never want to mislead them on how they are spying, or how they want to spy on their citizens.

Right?

Chertoff Shoves His Foot In His Mouth

Homeland Creating Insecurities Secretary Michael Chertoff may not have realized it but he stuck his foot in his mouth and might never get it out. He spoke about the border Monday and how he sees that environmental issues are negatively affected by immigrants, not the giant (and idiotic) fence under construction. To him, the fence actually helps the environment.

From The Contra Costa Times:

"Illegal migrants really degrade the environment. I've seen pictures of human waste, garbage, discarded bottles and other human artifact in pristine areas," Chertoff said in a telephone interview. "And believe me, that is the worst thing you can do to the environment."

To curb illegal immigration, the U.S. government plans to complete 670 miles of fencing on the southwest border by the end of 2008.

But this has drawn complaints about damaging the cross-border economy and hurting the environment.

Wildlife enthusiasts fear the natural wonders of the Rio Grande Valley in Texas could be spoiled by fences and barriers and could harm some animals by cutting them off from the only source of fresh water.

Chertoff will also ensure that no one goes to court by invoking an environmental waiver passed by the 109th Congress. Not only does this statement show his ignorance about environmental studies in the Southwest, he obviously doesn't understand much when it comes to immigration and the border.

See, people are going to cross no matter what. Even if it takes five times to successfully make the harsh journey. Even if Chertoff talks his ass off about how the fence will solve everything. Economic realities in the world will trump political bullshit and xenophobia anyday. As long as there is a demand for immigrant labor and people in Latin America willing to meet that demand, no fence will stop that from happening.

Chertoff's Gut Denies NYC Anti-Terrorism Funding

Barely a week after Homeland Security boss Michael Chertoff and his gut had a feeling we are about to be attacked, he denied America's #1 target its fair share of funding to help prevent and deal with such attacks. Although he bestowed one whole half of a percent increase, New York remains #19 on the list of per-capita spending on anti-terrorism measures. Meanwhile other cities like San Diego saw their shares double. Chertoff needs to start using his brain instead of his gut when doling out money to fight terrorism.

From WCBS-TV:

"The fact remains that when you catch somebody who is a potential terrorist they've got a map or picture of New York," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

Just a week after warning of a heightened threat of terror attacks this summer, Chertoff handed out anti-terror grants that took care of cities all across the nation, but once again ignored New York City's position as one of the top targets.

"Secretary Chertoff said the preponderance of the threat is still in New York, yet we get 18 percent of the money," NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly said. "So, it just simply doesn't add up."

Thats right, it doesn't add up. Nothing makes sense when it comes to the Bush Administration and all of the miserable failures that serve him. Chertoff is a prime example of failing to do his duty to the American people. It seems to be a mantra for the President and his merry men and women.

Fighting Terrorism With Your Gut

I think the color coded terror alert system is still in effect, but we'll have to add Michael Chertoff's gut to wondering whether the terrorists will attack us tomorrow. Olbermann rips him to shreds and exposes what the Homeland Security Department is all about.

No Shame For Giuliani, Huckabee And Chertoff

Republicans pull off many dastardly deeds (Iraq, screwing our economy, committing hypocrisy over social issues) almost on a daily basis. We've practically gotten used to their crap, but what Michael Chertoff and Presidential candidates Giuliani and Huckabee did in South Carolina recently is beyond their typical callous disregard for human emotion.

From Campaign Follies:

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- Nine caskets lined the front of a coliseum Friday as thousands of firefighters from across the nation, their hats in their hands, honored nine colleagues killed in a furniture store blaze.
Uniformed escorts walked the men's wives, siblings and children to their seats in a long procession of red carnations, tears and hugs.

Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. said the men were heroes.

(snip)

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told the gathering that the nine firefighters ''demonstrated the same bravery our nation witnessed on Sept. 11.''

''The tragedy of Monday reminds us that we live in a world in which danger is all around us,'' he said.

Two presidential candidates, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, were also among the mourners.

It was bad enough for Rudy and Mike to attend a funeral they had no business being at. The memorial for those nine firefighters was for their memory and for the families only, not for shameless political stunts. Chertoff truly stepped out of line by comparing this tragedy to September 11th.

For Bush's followers this type of act by his DHS Secretary is not wholly out of line, it happens all the time. Regardless, this shit can't stand, there needs to be apologies given by all three of the political perps. Rudy might have to do a littly more than apologize, the firefighters already have it in for him.

Bush Knew Of Kerik's Shady Past, Yet Nominated Him Anyways

I'm trying to wrap my head around why Bush would nominate Bernie Kerik to be the head of the Homeland Security department. We all knew he had a checkered past. Giuliani knew. The White House knew. Yet the guy was still kept close to Rudy and the White House nominated him regardless of what the vetters found.

From The NY Post:

Despite Kerik's "bald-faced" lies to investigators, vetters uncovered shady financial deals, an ethics violation and ties to a reputed mob family - yet pushed Kerik ahead, only to watch as his nomination collapsed, The Washington Post reports.

Federal prosecutors have told the former New York City police commissioner that he will likely be charged with several felonies, including lying to White House vetters.

And Kerik's embarrassing Cabinet bid has some questioning the judgment of ex-Mayor Rudy Giuliani, the 2008 GOP presidential-nomination front-runner, who nominated Kerik, and of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who headed the vetting.

The Post seems to think it was all about a flashy headline for the Administration. Though that may be part of it, it still doesn't sync with the pattern of how people are selected for positions throughout the government. If someone get the nod for a job, it tends to be for political patronage. All you need to do is look at the plethora of nominees that have been approved to see that they hardly had an experience related to the post yet plenty of connections to George Bush.

If the White House knew, then they also knew that an indicted man would never pass the test. Once he failed, Chertoff looked a whole lot better and was easily confirmed. I can't put my finger on it precisely, but there seems to be a whiff of a fall guy to get Chertoff in. This may seem like a conspiracy theory, but we are far past that when it comes to George Bush. I'll report more on this when I find hard data.

It's Those "Clean Skin" Terrorists We Really Need To Look Out For

The latest warning to come from the Bush Administration is straight out of the mouth of Michael Chertoff. The Homeland Security Chief, well known for his part in the Hurricane Katrina debacle made a few statements regarding terrorism today before departing for Britain. One of these remarks included 'clean-skin' terrorists.

From The Daily Telegraph:

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Michael Chertoff, who arrives in Britain tomorrow for talks with John Reid, the Home Secretary, said the US was determined to build extra defences against so-called "clean skin" terrorists from Europe.

"We need to build layers of protection, and I don't think we totally want to rely upon the fact that a foreign government is going to know that one of their citizens is suspicious and is going to be coming here," he said.

Mr Chertoff insisted that the US required additional information, including email addresses and credit card details, to vet European passengers and rejected "the idea that we're going to bargain with the European Union over who's going to come into the United States" under the visa waiver scheme.

So if a terrorist doesn't have clean skin, then what? Did the others not take a shower recently? These remarks are hardly appropriate and especially not in the manner in which he said them. Indirectly referring to people with dark skin as dirty is a disgusting practice that Mr. Chertoff inadvertently revealed about himself.

Protecting America from terrorists is definitely a good thing, but to inject racist attitudes into the matter is most certainly not. We should expect more from our Administration's officials, but with President Bush at the helm it is hardly surprising to see this make the news.