The New Year Begins

The big news today is the NY Times' revelation that the Bush Justice Department refused to okay the domestic spying program when it was asked to do so in 2004. White House officials had to go to seek out Ashcroft in his hospital bed following his gall bladder surgery to seek approval when Ashcroft's second in command refused. Even Ashcroft was reluctant to give his approval, the article says.

In another story, it appears that the White House has made the decision to stonewall Congress on any investigation of the domestic spying program.

It will be interesting to see whether Congress will just roll over and play dead on this one, like they have done so often in the past. If they do, I'm afraid that will signal the end of our republic, just like it signalled the end of the Roman republic when the Senate refused to stand up to the Emperor. I'm just hoping that enough Republicans will join enough Democrats in thinking this kind of usurpation of absolute power is simply unacceptable.