Meet the new boss

Same as the old boss.

The Obama administration is “invoking government secrecy in defending the Bush administration’s wiretapping program” against a lawsuit brought by AT&T customers who claim “federal agents illegally intercepted their phone calls and gained access to their records.” Justice Department lawyers yesterday demanded dismissal of a lawsuit brought by the Electronic Frontier Foundation against Bush officials, arguing that the information constitutes privileged “state secrets.”

Any similarities between the disaster that was the Bush administration and the Obama administration are too many. But after BushCo expanded presidential power by reaching into areas of questionable legality, we didn't just expect the successor to just give up all that additional power, did we? That's something a statesman who cares about the American public and the Constitution would do. It's apparently a little much to expect from a mere politician.

Obama is big on hope, so here's hoping he respects the rule of law and shuts down a program that allows a government to spy on its own citizens.