Bush, Cheney, and now Gonzales have demonstrated that they not only lie but that they do so, apparently, with the conviction that they have a perfect right to lie.
In the face of all that is being revealed about them -- Gonzales now in particular -- the absurdity is compounded by the fact that their laws enable them to lie and to forbid honest citizens to tell the truth. In fact, they require that decent people lie.
Three years ago, I received a national security letter (NSL) ...The letter ordered me to provide sensitive information about one of my clients. There was no indication that a judge had reviewed or approved the letter, and it turned out that none had. ...Living under the gag order has been stressful and surreal. Under the threat of criminal prosecution, I must hide all aspects of my involvement in the case -- including the mere fact that I received an NSL -- from my colleagues, my family and my friends. When I meet with my attorneys I cannot tell my girlfriend where I am going or where I have been. I hide any papers related to the case in a place where she will not look. When clients and friends ask me whether I am the one challenging the constitutionality of the NSL statute, I have no choice but to look them in the eye and lie.
