As a barometer of just how successful the NSA spying program has become, the latest target of Government investigation and surveillance is none other than Jack Anderson, the deceased legendary investigative reporter.
As explained by one high-ranking official, “we’ve already spied the shit out of all living Americans; now we’re on to the dead ones.”
In addition to seeking access to 188 boxes of Mr. Anderson’s files, spanning more than 40 years of investigative journalism, the Administration has also retained a psychic, to conduct a seance to interrogate Mr. Anderson. According to Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez, “the right to counsel and other constitutional protections do not apply to American citizens residing in the netherworld, so the interrogation can proceed without restrictions.”
However, one Justice Department official conceded that he was not sure how effective torture would be on a bodyless spirit. “Besides,” he added, “the threat of extraordinary rendition is somewhat hollow to someone in Jack’s position.”
As further explained by an Administration insider, the focus on Jack Anderson comes from the very top, since Bush and Cheney are not content to prosecute recent leaks over warrantless surveillance and overseas jails for terrorist suspects. Instead, to send a message to the entire liberal, panty-waist journalistic community, they want indictments for leaks concerning the Pentagon Papers, Watergate, the Church Committee findings of CIA assassinations, and Iran-Contra.
In a somewhat related story, Scooter Libby’s defense team has asked the Judge assigned to his perjury case to subpoena Jack Anderson as a trial witness, on the theory that a “phantom defense” won’t look so bad next to a real phantom.
BLOGWORTHIES:
More on Jack Anderson from Stephen Bates.
My Left Wing on Rolling Stone’s ‘Worst President’ cover story.
Great Pho-toons, as usual, on Bush/Cheney, at All Hat No Cattle.
Madkane on the Decider and Rummy.
One Good Move on Bush Nixon on Secrecy.
