When Nina Totenberg speaks, my imagination takes off.

I think it was yesterday I heard Nina Totenberg’s remarks regarding the “Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act” and the immunity issue. I understood her to say the AT&T people told Bush they do not feel they should be subjected to law suits since it was he himself who came to them asking them to do the surveillance work. AT&T knew they were breaking the law but looked forward to the protection of Bush with feelings he would not let them down. After all, there were all those subpoenas coming from some committees run by the Democrats that he was able to squelch.

I further understood from what Nina was saying, AT&T was telling President Bush that their companies would be devastated by the law suites and his choice was keeping them relevant to continue “ working at the pleasure of the President” or being plague by many law suites. And it they - AT&T - would be constantly plagued by on-and-off surveillance jobs interrupted by law suites, continuity would be broken and the information would be compromised. A real dilemma for him.

-Sir? Mr. President?
-Yes?
-May I offer a suggestion, Sir? May I suggest since AT&T knew they were breaking the law and relied on your protection, allow them to be sued a little bit.
-“ Sued a little bit?” How’s that?
-Well, Sir, it’s like being a little bit thrown under the bus. Purely a gesture for the public, you see, Sir.
-No. No. I don’t see.
-Remember how a cap was put on the amount of money a person can get from a mal-practice suite….
-Got it! We could go with limited immunity and satisfy both sides. A slap on the hand. (Laughter) That’s good. That’s good.
-Well, Sir not necessarily satisfy both sides now, but it would give the issue a well deserved wedge wouldn't you say?
-You know what, I was just thinking. You would look real good with a Medal of Honor draped around your neck.
-That would be nice, Sir. Thank you.
-Now tell me about my intentions to keep what they are calling my “un-authorized” surveillance activities. Hey! What’s wrong?? What’s happening?? What in the hell are you doing??
-It’s my.. It’s my hemorrhoids…. Sir. I got… to go call my wife! (Ooch!))
-Call your wife??
-Yes, Sir. She tells me what….. (Ooooch!) I have to do when I get a bad attack like this. I’ll..I’ll be back when…. (Ouch!) It ….clears up. May, SHII-IIT!!, take a while. Bye, Sir. ~(Whew! Boy was that close!)
As always,
BB