Man bites dog

Now here's something you don't see every day.  In fact, you rarely see anything like this at all . . .

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Democratic-led U.S. House of Representatives defied President George W. Bush on Friday and passed an anti-terrorism spy bill that permits lawsuits against phone companies.

But the 213-197 vote was far short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a promised veto by Bush.

Of course, the cynic in me can't resist re-writing that lead . . .

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Democratic-led U.S. House of Representatives defied postponed its latest cave-in to President George W. Bush on Friday and passed an anti-terrorism spy bill that permits lawsuits against phone companies.

But Because the 213-197 vote was far short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a promised veto by Bush, the Democrats are expected to fold their cards in the near future.

Still, I'll give Dems a round of applause on this one.  They refused to be rushed into another vote like the disaster of last August that first extended the NSA spying until its recent expiration in February.  And they actually came up with a decent compromise on the immunity issue -- letting the courts decide.  That's a pretty radical position for this day and age in America.  The courts?  We don't need no stinkin' courts.

But the Dems' past track record of capitulation following a presidential veto is worrisome.  The Republican Fear Machine will be all over them in the coming weeks.  And, then, of course, there's the Senate, which has already agreed to immunity.

Here's the full story at Reuters.