NSA Spying Scandal Heats Up

Two developments on Monday have ensured that the controversy over the NSA spying scandal, in which Bush decided he could wiretap Americans without a warrant, will stay in the forefront of the news cycle for the time being.

The New York Times has sued the Pentagon:

The Times wants a list of documents including all internal memos and e-mails about the program of monitoring phone calls without court approval. It also seeks the names of the people or groups identified by it.

And, not to be outdone, the Democrats have requested that a special counsel be appointed to investigate the scandal:

In a letter released on Monday, 18 House of Representatives Democrats told Bush a special counsel was necessary because administration officials including Attorney General Alberto Gonzales are too involved in defending the National Security Agency program to provide independent scrutiny.

The inspectors general of the Defense Department and the Justice Department turned down earlier requests from Democrats for independent probes into the program, which the White House acknowledged in December after it was revealed by the New York Times.

What's that sound I hear? Must be the popping of exploding heads in the White House.