Over the last few days, I have been following the story of the Bush administration’s secret authorization of NSA wiretaps on domestic calls from terrorist suspects (or “persons of interest,” or whatever made-up legalism they’re using now). My reaction to these revelations has oscillated between outrage and resignation. I’d like to think that this affair is the sort of thing that would make the general public wake up and say, “Holy crap—these guys are taking it upon themselves to tap the phone calls of US citizens, in clear violation of not only Congressional statue, but Constitutional law.”
However, I’m suffering from yet another case of outrage fatigue. This is the same reaction I’ve had to every other controversy and outrage that has eminated from this White House. In whatever this strange dimension is that we have crossed over into, the Bush administration seems to be able to engage in any degree of mendacity and malfeasance and have it just roll off of them when the scandal breaks. To put it simply, I have no faith that there will be any negative consequence whatsoever to the administration or its policy as a result of these latest revelations.
How can it not, you ask indignantly? Rather than answering myself, I’ll point you to discussions such as this one on Redstate.org.
The general reactions to this story:
- The NYT is guilty of treason for publishing this story.
- This is yet another Liberal plot to undermine the Bush administration, support the terrorists, and help the Socialist Workers Party (no, I’m not joking).
- It’s okay for the government to tap my phone, because I’m not a terrorist.
- The President says it’s necessary for the War on Terror, so who am I to disagree?
Honest to god, I’m not making this up. There are lots of people seriously making these claims, and they’re not just right-wing nutjob pundits employed by ultra-conservative think tanks.