Crocodile Tears

Oh, the outrage! Oh, the hanky-wringing! Oh, the indignity! Bill Frist, John Boehner, Dennis Hastert and the whole cadre of Royalists on Capitol Hill are "shocked, shocked I tell you" that the FBI would defile the halls of Congress with its vile presence! The sheer effrontery of those Executive Branch operatives, to think they could simply sashay into the bowels of the Legislative Branch and snoop around! The notion moves the Speaker of the House to the brink of apostasy:

"The Founding Fathers were very careful to establish in the Constitution a Separation of Powers to protect Americans against the tyranny of any one branch of government. They were particularly concerned about limiting the power of the Executive Branch." http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2006/05/a_raid_too_far.html

This is the same gang of imperial coat-holders who have stood aside silently as other operatives of the same Executive Branch (known as agents of the NSA) have ignored the express will of the "Founding Fathers" to eavesdrop on Americans without a court order, or even a hint of probable cause. (Notable exception: Frist, who has actively encouraged this unlawful behavior by offering legislation that would make it legal...even if it's unconstitutional.) This Royalist cabal even went so far as to empower those very operatives they now profess to detest (FBI agents) to seize the records of private transactions (like use of a library card) by fiat (euphemistically known as a "National Security Letter").

But let one of them darken the door of the U.S. Capitol, even if he is carrying a duly authorized court order, and the Royalists bay like a pack of abused pomeranians.

There are those who read ulterior motives into the response:

"Remember, the Justice Department has a number of investigations targeting lawmakers and staff on the Hill. Various committees and members have received subpoenas for documents and other cooperation, and they've been reportedly dragging their feet rather than comply.
Intentionally or not, the FBI's raid could be read by other lawmakers to mean: if you don't willingly comply, we'll come take what we need. In that sense, the raid wasn't just a hit on Jefferson, it was also a warning shot across the bow of all those facing scrutiny: you could be next." http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/000717.php

I, on the other hand, think that analysis gives Frist and his Fristlings too much credit. Instead, I believe this furor is calculated. It allows the Royalists to coat themselves with a patina of rspectability -- you know, makes them look like they really care what's in that Constitution none of them (apparently) has ever read. They raise a hue and cry about "separation of powers"...just like the one a few lesser Royalists (e.g., Arlen Specter) kicked up when the NSA illegal spying scandal broke. In time -- days at most -- King George will send one of his courtiers to Capitol Hill to assure the Congressional Royalists that they need never concern themselves about being the target of such heavy-handed tactics. Those are reserved only for the disloyal (and anti-Royal). Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if, by this time next week, Frist is proposing legislation to set up a special private FBI entrance to the Capitol.

For the time being, though, they must keep up appearances. They must toss around phrases they neither comprehend nor respect, like "separation of powers" and "tyranny of any one branch of government". Those are not words to the true Royalists. They are the verbal equivalent of crocodile tears.