Good news, bad news for Bushie.

First the good news: It has been reported that a large number of Americans support W’s blatant breach of the law when he authorized warrantless searches in the form of wiretaps and computer communication intercepts. Typical is this headline from The National Ledger: Majority Side with Bush (64%-23%) on NSA Monitoring Terrorists. You can read the whole screed here.

This is surprising in light of the fact that an even larger majority of people would probably answer “yes” to the question: “Should the President of the United States be required to obey the law?” How can the two ideas be reconciled?

First, let’s look at the poll itself. It was conducted by the Rasmussen organization, recipients of $50,000 from the Republican National Committee during the 2004 election cycle.

Now here’s the kicker: According to Rasmussen Reports, the homepage of the polling group:

"December 28, 2005--Sixty-four percent (64%) of Americans believe the National Security Agency (NSA) should be allowed to intercept telephone conversations between terrorism suspects in other countries and people living in the United States. A Rasmussen Reports survey found that just 23% disagree."

That’s the good news.

But wait! Can’t we all agree that the President of the United States should be allowed to get a warrant in the special court provided for that purpose and then, pursuant to that warrant monitor conversations between terrorism suspects in other countries and people living here? That’s what the law provides for.

King George W has taken a different position, best expressed by the immortal words attributed to the bandit in Treasure of Sierra Madre: “Badges? We don’t need no stinking badges!”* Imagine Bushie saying with an appropriate accent: “Warrants? We don’t need no stinking warrants!” I wonder what percentage of Americans would agree with that.

I have no idea of what percentage of Americans agree that the President is above the law, but the Rasmussen Report doesn’t give any support for the idea touted that a majority of American’s support W. in this matter.

Now for the bad news.

According to the same Rasmussen poll: Sixty-eight percent (68%) of Americans say they are following the NSA story somewhat or very closely.

This is very bad news for the Republicans. What it means is that two out of three Americans aren’t going to be so easily fooled.

For the rest of us, it is good news, because it means that we can take back our country, enforce the laws, throw the crooks and liars out of office and into prison, and have a democracy again. Very good news, indeed.

Keep paying attention, America …

… and tell ’em Big Mitch sent ya!”

* Actually, the above quote is from Blazing Saddles. The correct quote from Treasure of Sierra Madre is “Badges? We ain't got no badges! We don't need no badges. I don't have to show you any stinkin' badges!”