How can anyone say the WH did something "legal" or "illegal" if....

nobody knows what they did? Newt Gingrich was on MTP this morning and stated that what they did in regards to the NSA phone call collection was totally "legal". Now how in the hell would he know if it's "legal" or not if he doesn't know what they were doing?

On the opposite side, Jane Harmon was on the Face the Nation show opposite Arlen Specter and she said it was obviously "illegal". Now Jane is on the Intelligence Committee, so she should know. But does she really know what's going on? Does she have any idea what is "legal" or "illegal"? And if it were "illegal", would she have any idea what to do about it?

He also said the reason he's inviting (don't ya just love that term Inviting?) the phone companies to testify before the judicial committee is because THEY cannot claim Executive Privilege! I know Arlan usually chickens out in the end of all his rants, but I'm willing to give him a shot at this one! Lets see what happens.

with that silly "swearing in" thing?

the oath.

I know Arlan is a Pug, but I think he's the kind of Pug we can work with. It's rare that he just spouts the Admin talking points, and at least seems to be willing to listen to reason.

...still think he's someone we can work with?

since then. I disagree with the Pugs on almost EVERY ISSUE, but there is a handful of them who I believe we can work with, and the rest of them are blinded partisan hacks!

The good thing is that lots of the hacks are being caught up in the corruption net.

and I never gave permission to the phone company to divulge that information to the NSA, in my eyes it is illegal. I am in no way involved in any kind of criminal behavior, so why should they have my information.

very liberally interpreted laws.I think we need some better defined laws.

Who was forced to give sworn testimony over the past 6 years (and who was allowed a waver by GOP Congress critters). Bush and Cheney both got free passes and weren't committing any kind of perjury. Now Rove and Libby are another story. Those parts can be defined as legal or illegal in a court room. What is TOTALLY illegal, and is NOT a case for argument; giving aid and comfort to the enemy is a high crime in America and 'outing' a covert agent is just that. No one wants to play this implication game because it also follows on our countries worst judicial decision - Bush vs Gore for the 2000 election.

This is going to get really interesting; Class action lawsuits are now on record against the phone companies, so it will have to be handled in a court room. In another court room, Rove and Libby squeal (hopefully) everything to Fitz. Bush has the power to dismiss Fitz, will he ask his AG to do so at a 29% approval rating? Will he now that Rove is getting indicted?

he would have simply asked..
"how do you know it is legal?"

but he didn't.. sigh
I guess its too much to expect a talking head to think.

And the phone companies broke the law too, because it is illegal for them to give customer info to third parties, even the government, without a WARRANT.