As regards the president's defense of his illegal wiretaps

If the only way to defeat the criminal terrorists is to become criminals ourselves, the war on terror is over, and we have lost.

A reminder... for those who ask how this sorry state has come to pass

At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Buonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years.
At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide. [Emphasis added]

Abraham Lincoln
Address Before the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois
January 27, 1838

Said Honest Abe,"You got nobody to blame but yourself."