The New Yorker Page-A-Day February 6th

'Bout Time

Those who know me here, know that I am definitely a left-leaning liberal. I am by no means a granola eating, tree-hugging, pacifist. So let me say here, that I am pleased with the tone so far in the senate hearings of Alberto Gonzales IRT domestic spying surveillance.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales insisted Monday that President Bush was "acting with authority" both under the Constitution and federal law in eavesdropping on Americans without warrants as part of the war on terror.

But his strong defense of Bush's program was challenged by Republican Sen. Arlen Specter, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, who told Gonzales that even the Supreme Court had ruled that "the president does not have a blank check."

Specter suggested that the program's legality be reviewed by a special federal court.

Federal law "has a forceful and blanket prohibition against any electronic surveillance without a court order," Specter said as he opened a hearing on National Security Agency eavesdropping within the United States.

While the president claims he has the authority to order such surveillance to protect Americans from terrorist attacks, Specter said, "I am skeptical of that interpretation."

Full article is here

I have always had a great amount of respect for Arlen Specter. Always. He is a moderate Republican, consistent in his views and votes and an ardent supporter of the process of public representational government and a devotee of the US Constitution. Like any 'public servant', he is not perfect. Then again, I have never expected perfection from any elected official. Still, I have a lot of faith in the common sense of the Republican Senator from Pennsylvania. Common Sense seems altogether too UNcommon on Capitol Hill these days.