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WaPo Gets a Legal Blog

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Wed May 10, 2006 at 03:21:22 PM EST
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Say hello to Bench Conference, the brand new legal blog at the Washington Post. It is authored by Denverite and CBS News Analyst Andrew Cohen.

I've been reading Andrew's columns at CBS News and in the local Colorado papers for several years. He got his stripes covering the McVeigh trial. I didn't agree with him very often back then, but in recent years, I have noticed that he has become more sensitized to the plight of defendants and the injustices in our system and more critical of the Government. His writing style has loosened up and often packs a punch. Here's his recent column on the Moussaoui verdict. I often find myself nodding in agreement as I read his stuff.

Here's his take on Bush's warrantless NSA surveillance program and an ill-conceived proposed Congressional fix.

The NSA surveillance program, as now constituted, violates the Constitution. It does so because it represents a unilateral intrusion by the executive branch into an area of the law where it is not supposed to have such unfettered powers. But that problem does not get solved by this legislation. In fact, in many ways, the problem becomes worse because now Congress becomes a co-conspirator in the plot to keep these surveillance efforts away, free from review by neutral eyes.

I don't expect to always agree with Andrew -- he's no shill for the defense -- but he's fair and calls it like he sees it and gets the facts right. He's also developed a unique voice that should adapt well to the blogosphere.

I think WaPo has a winner this time.

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