FBI Abuses Expanded Powers - And Other Abuses

Well, I can't decide what to write about today so here are the things that have drawn my attention.

It is no surprise to most of us that the FBI "abused" its powers. But then, the DoJ who outed the FBI hasn't been making a glowing image for itself either. Here's a link to the report (pdf) that the DoJ released. A Review of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Use of National Security Letters.

Bush is traipsing around South America. I support the Mayan's plans to purify Iximche after Bush visits there. It probably says something that the article link points to the Pakistan Daily Times.

Having successfully blocked significant numbers of our number one exploited workforce (undocumented workers from Mexico and Latin America) the US is finding them difficult to replace. I have just been waiting for this to happen - the use of prisoners - and indeed, Prisoners to Work Colorado Fields. Yahoo! Here is a trend. What labor is even cheaper and easier to control than undocumented immigrants? Slaves.

I keep saying that we need a procedural change so that only items that are directly related to a piece of legislation should be allowed in a bill. This is proving true again as House Bill Pins Wage Increase To Iraq Funding. Yep. They are sticking new funding for Iraq to the minimum wage bill. Now there is a double edged sword. If the Dems don't sign it they are backing out of the minimum wage increase, and if Bush vetoes it he vetoes funding for the "troops." However, since the wage bill also throws huge bones to the very wealthy, it is almost a perfect bill for Bush and not likely he would veto.

Now get this, the House leadership (Democrats) have performed this little slight of hand to get passed the "log jam" in the Senate. I'm sorry, but this just does not work for me. If new funding for Iraq goes through, then that removes one very big negotiating chip for the Dems. It is increasingly clear that the only way Bush will be forced out of his "course" in Iraq, is if he has no more money to play with. BAD MOVE DEMS!

There's a bunch more stuff, but I'll stop there for now.