Tell me Again Why We Need to Wire Tap

The Veep is on a tear through Kansas. Today yielded a double dose of partisan political ventures to speechify and spin the usual W, Rove and Co propaganda. After speaking at Harley, he traveled over to Leavenworth to talk in front of another controlled audience. Wuss. But after reading his speech, I got to thinking...

Every American serving in this war can be absolutely certain that the people of our country do not support a policy of passivity, resignation, or defeatism in the face of terror. The United States will never go back to the false comforts of the world before September 11th, 2001. Terrorist attacks are not caused by the use of strength. They are invited by the perception of weakness. And this nation made a decision: We will engage these enemies -- facing them far from home, so we do not have to face them on the streets of our own cities. (Applause.)

If we really are fighting terrorists over in Iraq so we don't have to face them on our streets, then why do we need an illegal wire tapping program that circumvents an already spurious secret court? Indeed, there is a whole lot wrong with what the Veep is saying here. He trots out the usual 9/11 talisman and then suggest that he knows what causes terrorist attacks. He also suggests that anyone who says that going into Iraq was wrong and we aught have a strategy to get out is weak. Moreover, doing so is a sign of weakness that invites terrorists.

Well, here's a high hearty fuck you Mr. Veep. If you are so strong, why do you suggest we need worry domestically? Why are you tapping US Citizens illegally? Why do you have some kind of threat level indicator that does nothing but stir fear? Lastly, were the terrorists in Iraq before we got there? Nope. Again, the ROI is not worth the outlay and in fact, we may be playing right into the hands of the terrorists by being there.

Let's use the Veep's own words to pin his ass to the wall. In the very same speech, he says, and we can actually belive him there:

Obviously, no one can guarantee that we won't be hit again...

...None of us can know every turn that lies ahead for America in the fight against terror.

No Certainly not. But when a person suggest there are only two sides in this issue - you're either with us, or against us - then you are really not about democracy or freedom, but dictatorships and imperialism. When the W, Rove and Co suggest there is a direct correlation between their action and the fact that nothing has happened (at least in terms of international terrorists - there have been plenty of domestic acts of terror that occured on their watch that they were unable to stop) , we should ask and demand proof and not stand for more simple simon rhetoric.