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FOURTH UNDER FIRE!
"The right of the people to be secure in their
persons, houses, papers, and effects, against
unreasonable searches and seizures, shall
not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue,
but upon probable cause, supported by Oath
or affirmation, and particularly describing the
place to be searched, and the persons or
things to be seized.

US Constitution
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LOOKING FOR A FIGHT - AGAIN
It seems the Bush team has decided that the best way - the only way perhaps - to rebound in the polls is to pick
another divisive fight with the American people.  Why not, it has work so often for them in the past. They have
enjoyed electoral success using a strategy of confrontation, distortion and misrepresentation.  It appears they are
using the nomination of a new CIA chief to try to repeat history.  

We can expect that some of those who complain about Hayden because of his part in the Bush wiretapping program,
will be called soft on terrorism.  Anyone who disagrees with the Administration is dragged into a street brawl designed
to confuse the facts and make the Republicans look tough and Democrats look weak.  They hope that by repeating
this senerio with the nomination of General Hayden, this will help them in the Congressional elections later this year.

So the nomination seems to be simply an attempt to lower the political discourse to such a level that the Republican
base is energized while the rest of us become more disgusted by the whole process. Since Hayden was one of the
prime creators and defenders of the warentless wiretapping of American citizens, Karl Rove, between visits to the
Grand Jury, seems to have a new political scheme that look very much like the old ones. Scare their base voters
while turning everyone else off.

This time, I think this will backfire on them.  The blatant partisanship of this White House has turned off most
Americans by now. Too many people now realize that in order for America to survive, we need to work together within
the limits of the law rather than the current approach of dividing, smearing and conquering.  I hope I'm right.

DEMOCRATIC PLANS
Another big story this week is the Democrats plans, should they gain control of the House of Representatives in
November's elections.  Some Democrats are talking about starting up probes of White House activities over the past
5 or 6 years.  I think that's great - and long overdue.  Now, Republicans are trying to turn this against Democrats.  
They are going to promote the (fictional) belief that  if Democrats gain control, they will do nothing but launch
investigations and then impeach the President.  The Republicans seem to believe that if they create this picture in
the minds of Americans, it will turn people off of Democrats or at least excite their base enough to maintain control of
congress.

Sadly, I think the Republicans are exaggerating the level of Democratic interest of investigation and impeachment.  
Yes, I think there will be some probes, but not nearly enough to uncover the corruption of the past generation of
Republican rule.  Secondly, I am not sure that "Impeachment" issue would hurt the Dems.  While I don't think they will
have the courage to do it - if Republicans convince the public that is what the Democrats will impeach Bush it may
actually HELP them!  It may also have the ironic effect of forcing the Democrats further to the left if they win control of
Congress than they would typically feel comfortable with.
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