I don’t believe this!
Bush was just on CNN now (no link yet). He says that he has seen credible evidence that Scout Finch, brownsox, and smintheus are connected to a violent radicalization movement. Bush claimed they are "adopting or promoting an extremist belief system for the purpose of advancing political or social change." So he announced that he's nullifying their positions and is appointing his own front-pagers.
Bush’s statement, from the CNN:
"In the interest of National Security, I've asked Michael Mukasey to investigate this situation. I promise you there will be a full investigation and that the process will be open and fair. But it's clear that the three individuals who call themselves brownsox, Scout Finch, and smintheus are in league with terrorists.
"I also want to say this about the woman who calls herself 'Scout Finch.' Laura told me something terrible. This 'Scout Finch' took her name from the character in some book they're always making kids read in high school. What are we saying to parents when we tell them their children is learning [sic] in school about a terrorist sympathizer? What are we saying to the children when we say, you know, you ought to read this book, this is a good book, it shows our values, but it’s associated with terrorism?"
Mukasey was then asked what the accused had written and what justification there was in calling blog-posts “terrorist activity.” He also was pressed by Helen Thomas to explain what justification there was for Bush himself to make front-page appointees to a privately owned website. Mukasey responded that he had not yet been briefed on the three former front-pagers or the charges against them, and he would approach the matter with an open mind.
Congressional leaders were shocked by the decision. Speaking with reporters just moments ago, Arlen Specter said, "This move by President Bush is outrageous. It is clearly unconstitutional and a sign of Bush is taking on dictatorial powers. We will certainly hold hearings about this in the coming months, but there's nothing Congress can do about it."
I’m outraged at this. And I don’t like the look of Bush’s appointees to the front page. He has not yet announced their names, but a picture posted by the Associated Press depicts the likely candidates for the job:
Bush's Appointees to the Front Page
NOT MY DAILY KOS