LIE OF THE WEEK: 02-07-2006

From yesterday's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the domestic surveillance program authorized by the president, who bypassed the normal court warrant procedures:

"A few members of Congress have suggested that they personally did not intend the force resolution to authorize the electronic surveillance of the enemy, al Qaeda. But we are a nation governed by written laws, not the unwritten intentions of individuals. What matters is the plain meaning of the statute passed by Congress and signed by the president." - Attorney General Gonzales

THE TRUTH: Clearly, the Bush administration is not interested in "the plain meaning of the statute passed by Congress and signed by the president." Otherwise, they wouldn't have to go to these extraordinary lengths to formulate ridiculous legal justifications for going outside the of written law, especially FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act).

The saddest part of all is that the committee did not even put the Attorney General under oath during the hearing. I guess it's easier to lie if you're not at risk of being charged with lying under oath.

"I told the truth then, I'm telling the truth now" I'm sorry Mr. Attorney General, but it's clear that you're not.