No KO, but a Newsletter -- 12/20/05: Constitutional Authority to Spy?

[Patsy Stone]

No more until 1/3/06, an explanation from Carey on the bottom; and Gidge is doing a report on the creepy Santa's too!

------------------------------------------------------
Tonight on Countdown
------------------------------------------------------

President Bush and two of his most senior aides argued that the highly classified program to spy on suspected members of terrorist groups in the United States grew out of the president's constitutional authority and a 2001 Congressional resolution that authorized him to use all necessary force against those responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks. Two of the key Democrats who had been briefed on the program said Monday that they had been told so little that there was no effective Congressional oversight for it. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/20/politics/20spy.html

Some Democrats say they never approved a domestic wiretapping program, undermining suggestions by President Bush and his senior advisers that the plan was fully vetted in a series of congressional briefings. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10542545/

The series of speeches President Bush delivered during the past three weeks defending the invasion of Iraq failed to buy patience for the war or convince more Americans that the conflict is part of a broader campaign against terrorism, according to a USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll taken over the weekend. http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-12-19-poll_x.htm

Another poll, different findings: President Bush's approval rating has surged in recent weeks, reversing what had been an extended period of decline, with Americans now expressing renewed optimism about the future of democracy in Iraq, the campaign against terrorism and the U.S. economy, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News Poll. Bush's overall approval rating rose to 47 percent, from 39 percent. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10538012/

Countdown w/ Keith Olbermann broadcasts LIVE at 8 pm et, and the count is never complete without you. Join us.
Alison Stewart stands in for Keith.

Subways and buses across the nation's largest city shut down Tuesday morning as transit workers walked off the job following days of acrimonious labor talks, stranding more than 7 million daily riders and threatening the city with a financial hit of $400 million a day. "It doesn't seem right to tie up the cultural and investment center of the world," said Larry Scarinzi, 72, a retired engineer from Whippany, N.J., waiting for a cab outside Penn Station. "They're breaking the law. They're tearing the heart out of the nation's economy." http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10466982/

Michael Jackson's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, has accused the singer of abducting their two children, according to TMZ.com. The site reports that Rowe filed papers Monday in a secret hearing held near Palm Springs making the accusations. She has filed a custody suit against the singer, which is being handled through private arbitration, according to the site. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/10545707/

Monica Novotny reports: "Bad Santa"... a look at some of the ghoulish Christmas displays popping up between Halloween and Christmas.

Drunken Santas on a rampage in New Zealand, armed German robbers in Santa disguises, a British St. Nick wanted for flashing, and a Swedish vandal in a Santa outfit are giving the big man in red a bad name this year. Reports of "Bad Santas" breaking the law or otherwise wreaking havoc have been circulating around the world. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10545255/

That's some of what we're planning for tonight's show.

Finally,
The newsletter system will be frozen from now until January 3rd, so some technical problems can be worked out.
I am also working with a backup newsletter editor so that, when I'm unavailable to do it, you will still get the newsletter -- with the stories that people will be talking about that day.
Don't forget Countdown's specials airing the Friday before Christmas and the Monday after.
Keith will be back after Christmas.
Have a great Holiday, whatever you choose to celebrate, and see you January 4th.

-- Carey Fox