pity the fool

For some reason, I just find this funny....maybe it's because I grew up in the 70s and 80s?

QUESTION: Mr. T, why do you pity the fool? MR. T: That is a good question. That is a good question and a legitimate question. And I'm the man to answer it. You pity the fool because you don't want to beat up a fool. You know, pity is between sorry and mercy. See, if you pity him, you know, you won't have to beat him up. So that's why I say fools, you gotta give another chance because they don't know no better. That's why I pity them.

Can't you just hear him saying it? "And I'm the man to answer it." Ha! Gotta love Mr. T.

Here is a fool that I do not pity, however:

Arlen Specter: Yesterday the sphincter Specter said that he has reached an agreement with the White House...really?? I'm so surprised. The agreement? Specter said:

I am authorized to say that if the bill is not changed, the president will submit the terrorist surveillance program to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.

Sen. Patrick Leahy translated Specter's statement best: “[Bush is] saying, if you do every single thing I tell you to do, I’ll do what I should have done anyway.”

Ok, that's the first problem....but the real problem (emphasis mine):

Among the key provisions: • Bush would agree to submit the surveillance program voluntarily so as not to bind future presidents to a requirement that all intelligence programs pass similar muster. • The administration would have to show how the privacy of innocent Americans is protected and what steps the NSA takes to ensure that intercepted communications involve a terrorist or someone reasonably believed to be linked to a terrorist. • Foreign-to-foreign communications that pass through telephone call-switching centers inside the USA would not be subject to FISA's provisions. • The administration would be required to brief the House and Senate Intelligence Committees on any electronic surveillance programs in effect.

My problem with this: Bush has shown absolutely no signs that he would ever voluntarily do anything legal. In fact, just the opposite. This bill gives the president the "option" of submitting it to the court for review, not a "requirement". Let's see...what do you think he'll do?

What in the hell is wrong with doing this all within the law?? Jesus.