What the...

*Updated

From Reuters:

President Bush has decided not to renew a program of domestic spying on terrorism suspects, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said on Wednesday, ending an law-enforcement tactic criticized for infringing on civil liberties.

"The president has determined not to reauthorize the Terrorist Surveillance Program when the current authorization expires," Gonzales wrote in a letter to congressional leaders.

Bush has reauthorized the program every 45 days, and the current authorization is mid-cycle, a senior Justice Department official said. Gonzales said a recent secret-court approval allowed the government to act effectively without the program.

[...]

"Any electronic surveillance that was occurring as part of the Terrorist Surveillance Program will now be conducted subject to the approval of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court," Gonzales said.

He reiterated the administration's position that the surveillance program has been legal, but said the government will now have the ability to act with sufficient "speed and agility."

White House spokesman Tony Snow said the new rules approved by the court addressed administration concerns.

"The president will not reauthorize the present program because the new rules will serve as guideposts," Snow said

Sometimes Bush and his administration just infuriate me. He is like the kid that you defend in school all the time. You keep defending him and defending him until you're blue in the face. And what does that kid do to pay you back? Makes you look like a fool.

For the past, what, two or so years since this story broke, those of us who want to be tough on terrorism at all costs have defended Bush's wiretapping program and his right--no, duty--as the President to use "any and all means" needed to prevent terrorist attacks. Even this one. Now, after all that has been said and done, he changes his position. If it was really that easy, why didn't he just do it to begin with. I just don't get it: Why not spare the criticism and just do what is asked from the beginning if you're simply going to cave in the end anyway? Answer me that.

* Update

Michelle Malkin says it better:

This is just...depressing.

Bush administration = Lucy. Bush administration defenders = Charlie Brown.

Argh.