Neutered

WASHINGTON -- The United States Senate officially became powerless Thursday when Republicans declined to investigate a patently illegal domestic spying program secretly authorized by President Bush.

That's one way the lede could have been written. But most news outlets went with something more subdued -- essentially saying the same thing, just a little less big-picture.

Senate Republicans blocked a proposed investigation of President Bush's domestic spying operation yesterday, as the chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence said he had reached an agreement with the White House to pursue legislation that would establish clearer rules surrounding the controversial National Security Agency surveillance program.

The White House reacted with its characteristic humility, demonstrating the respect and deference it typically shows the United States Congress.

"We maintain that the president does not need additional congressional authority," said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino.

In other words, the refusal to investigate was meaningless. That's gratitude for you.

Why do you suppose the Senate would abdicate its oversight role? What could lead United States senators to make the decision to strip themselves of their own power, essentially rendering themselves irrelevant?

Congress appeared ready to launch an investigation into the Bush administration's warrantless domestic surveillance program last week, but an all-out White House lobbying campaign has dramatically slowed the effort and may kill it, key Republican and Democratic sources said yesterday.

So much for "there's no doubt in my mind it is legal," huh?

And what bone did the White House throw the Senate? What did the Senate receive in exchange for casting aside the authority granted it by the Constitution?

(Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas) said the vote was put off because the White House had "committed to legislation and has agreed to brief more Intelligence Committee members on the nature of the surveillance program."

(White House spokeswoman Dana Perino) said the Bush administration is now willing to discuss a GOP proposal that contains "some good legislative concepts that would not undermine the president's ability to protect Americans."

You agreed not to hold the president accountable for breaking the law in exchange for being let in on it and being allowed to pass new legislation? If George Bush is breaking the law now, what makes you think he's going to give a shit about whatever watered-down, candy-ass law you pass later?

You got ripped off.