A Political Stunt

But, one that has to occur, a motion to censure Bush.

Sen. Russell D. Feingold (D-Wis.) said Sunday that he would ask the Senate to censure President Bush for authorizing a warrantless domestic spying program, signaling a new determination by Democrats to keep the heat on the White House over the controversial eavesdropping by the National Security Agency.

Although the surveillance program has drawn criticism from Republicans as well, a Senate GOP leader dismissed the move by Feingold, a liberal iconoclast and possible 2008 presidential candidate, as "political grandstanding."

And there is the key. A number of Republicans have said this domestic spying is illegal. They have questioned to need to break the law, and have even hinted at investigations.

Then they have backed down. They do not have the courage to exercise the oversight that the constitution demands that they do. For 5 years now they have given the executive branch a free ride, even helping to cover up questionable acts by refusing to look into them.

All that is left is political theater, so that is what the Republicans in DC have forced Sen. Feingold to do.


UPDATE.
If you feel like contacting your Senators Firedoglake offers pointers and a phone number, or two.

Calling the SC Senators is a waste of time, but go ahead and do it, it waste their time also.


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Domestic Spying