Theatre of the absurd

Eavesdropping on the Eavesdropper
A one-act play by George Bush and Karl Rove

Setting: A luxury resort along the Choptank River in Cambridge, Maryland.
Scene: George Bush, the president of the United States, is addressing the House Republican Conference. After forgettable opening remarks, reporters covering the event are ushered out of the room so that the president can address the gathered GOP lawmakers privately, unaware that microphones were still on, allowing the reporters to listen in on the first part of his conversation.

President Bush defended his warrantless eavesdropping program Friday, saying during what he thought were private remarks that he concluded that spying on Americans was necessary to fill a gap in the United States' security.

"I want to share some thoughts with you before I answer your questions," said Bush, unaware that microphones were still on and were allowing those back in the White House press room to eavesdrop on his eavesdropping defense. "First of all, I expect this conversation we're about to have to stay in the room. I know that's impossible in Washington."

That was not to be — and it was telling that the president chose the controversial NSA program as the first topic to raise out of reporters' earshot. Even so, there was no substantive difference between those statements and the series of public speeches he has given recently on the program.

Only the first few minutes of that — before any lawmakers' questions — were heard by reporters.

Let me see if I have this straight: Reporters overheard Bush admonish Republicans that he wanted their conversation to stay in the room, and then essentially repeat a talking point he's been hammering publicly for weeks. And that's the only part reporters overheard.

Gimme a break.