Here we go again | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's Note: Jim Bispo's weekly column appears in the Beaufort Observer.

    We read that the Anointed One's administration is opening a "criminal Investigation" into who leaked the classified documents related to the federal government tracking Americans' phone calls and emails. (Another of Bispo's Laws at work: When in doubt, ATTACK)

    So what are we to make of this sudden interest in ensuring that there have been no violations of the law?? Clearly, the administration is wrapping itself in the American flag in an effort to make people believe they really care about the country - and a lot of folks will believe that. Those would be the same folks who even today continue to take everything the Anointed One says as Gospel and pay no attention to what he actually does versus what he promises. Face it, his speech writers put really good sounding words in his mouth.

    How difficult is it to believe that this is little more than an effort to change the conversation from the Administration's telephone and internet data collection activities?? Or perhaps the investigation of the AP folks?? Or perhaps the investigation into James Rosen's telephone and on-line activities?? Or Benghazi?? Or maybe hacking into Sharyl Attkisson's computer during the time she was pursuing the Benghazi story fairly aggressively. Or Operation Fast & Furious?? Short answer: It is not at all difficult to believe!!

    But now, the evil perpetrator of the "leaks" has acknowledged his sin, so there goes the "It's under investigation" excuse for not talking about the trawl net being dragged across America by the ever vigilant DOJ. If we could only get Patrick Kennedy back as a "Special Prosecutor", we could (even though the perpetrator has already confessed) drag the investigation out long enough for it to go away and then still maybe "get" someone for something. (Think Valerie Plame, Richard Armitage, and Scooter Libby.)

    This sudden interest in strict adherence with the law certainly looks about as selective in its application as the IRS activities were in looking at the 501(c)(4) groups applying for tax exempt status. It seems as though only those leaks of classified information that do not (or may not) reflect favorably on the administration merit "investigation". Take for example the successful raid on the Bin Laden compound. All kinds of detailed (and likely classified) information about the raid and its conduct was leaked. Pictures of the Chief War Lord right there in the White House Situation room were widely disseminated. All manner of details appeared in the press and Hollywood film makers got unprecedented access behind the "black doors" in some of our most secret organizations..

    Strange, we weren't treated to any pictures of the Anointed One (or his "What difference does it make??"Secretary of State) monitoring the Benghazi situation. We weren't even able to find out just what he was doing (or where he was doing it) as our Ambassador Chris Stevens, Tyrone Woods, Glen Doherty, and Sean Smith were murdered in Libya. It is easy to believe that is about the same level of detail that the public would have been treated to had the Bin Laden raid been a failure?? Hmmm...

    Speaking of the telephone and e-mail, twitter, and Facebook data collection activities, does anyone remember the person for whom the FBI building in Washington D.C. is named?? Oh yes, it was named after the first (and longest serving) FBI Director, J. Edgar Hoover. He served from 1935 when the Bureau was founded until his death in 1972.

    How did he do it?? Simple. Reportedly he resorted to data collection techniques that some allege were either totally (at worst) or marginally (at best) illegal. He developed extensive dossiers on what seemed to be nearly everybody with any political clout including Presidents. He then parlayed the information in those dossiers into reappointment after reappointment as FBI Director. If he was still alive he might well still be the FBI Director (unless being an "old white guy" would have ruled him out by now. Hmmm...)

    Does anyone see the beginning of a parallel with what's going on today in the Obama Administration?? It seems to have started with intimidation. Several years ago, it was the banks who were threatened with (unending) audits if they did not partake of the Governments "generosity" and accept TARP money. Just lately, it has been AP reporters; and then James Rosen. Could the data mining provide a basis for the development of Hoover like dossiers on anyone who could even potentially disagree with the Anointed One and his world view??

    The administration reportedly already knows how to do the kinds of things Hoover is reported to have done. Just the mention of audits seems to have worked on the banks. In Chicago parlance, that's not called coercion. It's called "motivation".

    The first time something like the "tricks" that Hoover pulled happens, it is his fault. The second time it happens, it is our fault. From the looks of things, we are about to be treated to the second fishing expedition all over again - except that this time it will be our fault if we let it happen.. The rationale for what the Prez and his merry band of renegades are doing actually sounds pretty good.. (You know - apple pie and motherhood.) The only problem is that the administration has already proven (time and time again) that they are not to be trusted.

    D'ya think??