They hate us for our freedoms

The Bushies, that is. And they will tell any lie to take them from us.

From CNN today:

Chertoff made clear his belief that wider authority could thwart future attacks at a time when Congress is reviewing the proper scope of the Bush administration's executive powers for its warrantless eavesdropping program and military tribunals for detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

"What helped the British in this case is the ability to be nimble, to be fast, to be flexible, to operate based on fast-moving information," he said. "We have to make sure our legal system allows us to do that. It's not like the 20th century, where you had time to get warrants."

From the Scotsman:

Sources told The Scotsman British intelligence first became aware a group of British Muslims was planning an attack last year when the service received information from Pakistani authorities following the arrest of senior al-Qaeda figures.
...
The decision to arrest the group came as they were apparently just two days away from a "dry run", to see if they would be able to smuggle the needed materials aboard the planes.

From the Daily Mail:

Over several months, former Home Secretary Charles Clarke and, more recently, John Reid were given detailed updates on the progress of the investigation to enable them to sign warrants for sophisticated intrusive surveillance against the terrorists.

As MI5 reveals on its website: "The Services does use intrusive investigative methods, such as eavesdropping in a target's home or vehicle.

"However, our use of such methods is subject to a strict control and oversight regime.

"To install an eavesdropping device in a target's home we need to apply to the Secretary of State for a warrant under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) to authorise the intrusion on the privacy of the target."

It adds: "In most cases we must also apply for a 'property warrant' under the Intelligence Services Act 1994 to authorise any interference with the target's property necessary to install the device covertly.

"As with interception, we must convince the Secretary of State that what we are proposing to do is both necessary and proportionate."

From WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, Michigan:

KALAMAZOO -- A four-count warrant has been issued for a man who police say shot two other men.

Cornelle Mason was shot to death while sitting in his vehicle just after 2 a.m. Sunday in the 600 block of Riverview Drive in Kalamazoo. Mason, 18, was from Chicago. His friend, a 22-year-old Kalamazoo man, was treated and released for gunshots to his wrist and abdomen.

Late Monday afternoon, the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor's Office issued the warrant against Marvin Tawon Allen, charging him with assault with intent to commit murder, felony firearm, felon in possession of a firearm and felony firearm.

From the Hickory Record (North Carolina)

The bodies of Adams Sr. and his girlfriend, Lori Abernethy Chamberlain, were found Tuesday morning at Adams Sr.'s home on Burton Drive in Maiden. Adams Jr. made the 911 call reporting the deaths around 9 a.m.

By 2 p.m. Tuesday, Adams Jr. was charged with two counts of felony murder.

The search warrant reveals deputies seized more than 45 items from Adams Sr.’s home including more than 20 firearms. Ammunition, clothing and bed sheets were also among the items seized.

The Catawba County Sheriff's Office issued the search warrants on Tuesday.

From the US Code, Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act:

The attorney general ... may authorize the emergency employment of electronic surveillance if a judge having jurisdiction under section 1803 of this title is informed by the Attorney General or his designee at the time of such authorization that the decision has been made to employ emergency electronic surveillance and if an application in accordance with this subchapter is made to that judge as soon as practicable, but not more than 72 hours after the Attorney General authorizes such surveillance.

So, let's summarize: The British arrest a bunch of guys they claim to have been trailing since last year, supposedly two days before a "dry run." They requested and obtained warrants for their surveillance methods. Arrest and search warrants can be obtained in the US quickly, often on the same day they are requested. For surveillance warrants on foreign suspects, approval doesn't need to be obtained until three days AFTER the surveillance starts. And Secretary Jerkoff has the gall to go on TV and say

"What helped the British in this case is the ability to be nimble, to be fast, to be flexible, to operate based on fast-moving information. We have to make sure our legal system allows us to do that. It's not like the 20th century, where you had time to get warrants."

Besides, Jerkoff, you had your chance to demonstrate how nimble, fast and flexible you were last summer with Katrina, and failed miserably.

This BS has nothing to do with protecting us--it's all about repealing the Bill of Rights.