Bush Disingenuously Re-Brands Spying Program

AP: MANHATTAN, Kan. - President Bush pushed back Monday at critics of his once-secret domestic spying effort, saying it should be termed a “terrorist surveillance program” and contending it has the backing of legal experts, key lawmakers and the Supreme Court.

Several members of Congress from both parties have questioned whether the warrantless snooping is legal. That is because it bypasses a special federal court that, by law, must authorize eavesdropping on Americans and because the president provided limited notification to only a few lawmakers. | story

OK, Mr. Bush, but what about the non-terrorists being swept up in your nets? Not that we’re surprised by the new moniker; this is the guy who legalized an increase in air pollution and called it “Clear Skies,” and labeled a tree-slashing program “Healthy Forests.”

Charlie Riedel / AP

President Bush addresses the crowd during the 142nd Landon Lecture Monday, Jan. 23, 2006 at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan.