Chris Roberts at the El Paso Times has an excellent interview with National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell. In this Q&A, McConnell clearly explains the debate on the extension of the foreign intelligence surveillance act earlier this month. The administration's bill extending the authority to monitor electronic communication from overseas without a warrant passed 227 to 183 with 41 Democrats joining the majority. This has caused a lot of consternation among the Democrats. The leadership has been desperately trying to frame the issue as a threat to civil liberties and personal privacy. Framed this way, the issue really gets their reflexive anti-war base excited. Less excitable Democrats, although a distinct minority, are more concerned with the national security than pandering to the base. Coordinating with the media, the Democrats have tried to cast the terror surveillance programs as "controversial."  Clamoring to close Guantanamo and...(Read Full Post)