I owe the President an apology

[Airbornelawyer]

This morning, as I am getting ready for work, I catch a snippet on the news about the President announcing today that he would be submitting a plan to Congress to strengthen the intelligence system, based on the 9-11 Commission and Senate Intelligence investigation recommendations. Cynic that I am, my first thought was, "politics". Just like Kerry at the Democratic convention endorsing the reports without even bothering to read them.

After all, Bush is the President. Why simply wait to election season to announce legislation that might eventually lead to some reforms? Why not simply make the changes by Executive Order and let the legislation follow?

So I am at the White House web site a few minutes ago, and what do I notice:

• Executive Order Strengthened Management of the Intelligence Community, August 27, 2004
• Executive Order National Counterterrorism Center, August 27, 2004
• Executive Order Strengthening the Sharing of Terrorism Information to Protect Americans, August 27, 2004
• Executive Order Establishing the President's Board on Safeguarding Americans' Civil Liberties, August 27, 2004

Sorry, Mr. President.