Dave Weigel:
Anyone else dimly remember some sort of "IRS scandal" a few weeks ago?
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) September 6, 2013
Also, today we got what seemed to be a blockbuster NSA story -- we were told that the NSA can actually decipher many encrypted online communications, because the agency has cracked security codes, obtained encryption keys from tech providers through coercion, or actually required companies to weaken encryption or permit backdoor access. Newly libertarian-minded right-wingers have been upset about surveillance lately -- but not today.
Why?
Remember, in recent months, when they've talked about the NSA and the IRS, they've invoked high-mided abstract principles. They've wrapped themselves in the Constitution. This is for our country! Our children! Our way of life!
Except it's not -- not this week, anyway. President Obama has proposed a military engagement that's not popular, and he's handled the selling campaign for this operation poorly -- and that's all that matters to the right at this moment. All that other stuff -- stuff that threatened the very foundations of our Republic -- is suddenly no big deal.
Why, you'd almost think the right's anger was all political, if you didn't know any better.
