Share and share alike: In the wake of a speech and press conference wherein our Commander In Chief defended his administration’s ongoing illegal spying on U.S. citizens, George Bush issued guidelines to Congress and government departments about how that ill-gotten info should be shared among government agencies.
In a letter to Congress, Bush explained that the details are part of his effort to build the “information-sharing environment,” or ISE, as required by a 2004 intelligence law.
“The ISE is intended to enable the federal government and our state, local, tribal and private-sector partners to share appropriate information relating to terrorists, their threats, plans, networks, supporters and capabilities while, at the same time, respecting the information privacy and other legal rights of all Americans,” he wrote. “Creating the ISE is a difficult and complex task that will require a sustained effort and strong partnership with the Congress.”
Bush sent the details in the form of “guidelines” and “requirements” to heads of government departments and agencies, and to lawmakers. The guidelines cover the role and scope of the authority of department chiefs and implement common technical standards and architectures to expedite intra-government information sharing.
Isn’t it a comfort to know that the information gathered through illegal spying on citizens by the government will be shared more efficiently among government agencies? At least the former Texas oilman and Kyoto Protocol hater has created one environmental intiative during his rule — building the “information-sharing environment.” Oh, it’s not that kind of environment ….
And isn’t it interesting that he pulls all this stuff out of his butt AFTER he’s caught red-handed exceeding his authority.