In his press conference this morning, President Bush was asked about the New York Times‘ recent revelation that the NSA was operating a covert surveillance program that monitored hundreds of Americans’ phone calls and emails without any court supervision or warrants.
Bush responded:
My personal opinion is it was a shameful act for someone to disclose this very important program in a time of war. The fact that we’re discussing this program is helping the enemy.
The fact that we’re discussing an illegal wiretap program that defies the Fourth Amendment is, right now, at this very minute, helping Osama bin Laden? The fact that I just wrote the previous sentence means that I’m helping the so-called mastermind of 9/11?
You have to admire the verve of President Bush, suggesting that the ones who question our government here are responsible for the ones who blow things up here and abroad.
Should I apologize now, finally? Should I send a Hallmark card? Sorry about those planes and IEDs, I didn’t mean it. Love will find a way, Peace on Earth and Happy Holidays?
But wait, I thought the “enemy” was Saddam Hussein. And he’s already caught and in jail. So we’re safe now, right? Or am I still at fault?
I’m so confused.
Fortunately for all of us, Mark, one of my students has confirmed that Saddam was in fact the enemy. The student was writing on Spike Lee’s 25th Hour, which includes a scene in an apartment overlooking Ground Zero. When asked if he’s going to move, the character who lives in the apartment says something like, “Bin Laden can drop another one right next door, and I’m not moving.” As my student quoted the line, however, it became, “Saddam can drop another one….”
George W. Bush loves that student.