Swanny Note: Isn't it IRONIC that this tale comes to us on the Anniversary of our Freedom- these calls FOR Big Brother to Spy on us and keep us SAFE.

The attempted terror attacks in Britain prove the U.S. needs its domestic spying program and more surveillance cameras in American cities, two powerful lawmakers said yesterday.

Sen. Joseph Lieberman called for an end to the "petty, partisan fighting" over the National Security Agency's warrantless wiretapping and e-mail spying efforts.

"I hope this week, based on what happened in the United Kingdom, President Bush [and] the bipartisan leadership of Congress will sit down and say, 'Hey, let's cut out the nonsense,'" Lieberman (I-Conn.) said on ABC's "This Week."

"We're fiddling while our enemies are getting ready to attack us," he said. "Let's figure out how to pass a law to modernize this electronic surveillance capacity, which is critical."

Lieberman credited Britain's extensive web of surveillance cameras for capturing a clear image of one of the London suspects after a passerby noticed a smoldering car that turned out to be packed with gasoline, propane and nails.

Rep. Pete King, the ranking Republican member of the House Homeland Security Committee, pointed out that British intelligence services had no warning of the planned attack.

"It went under the radar ... which to me shows themain way of stopping terrorism ... is to have better intelligence, to have electronic surveillance, to be able to infiltrate these groups," King (R-L.I.) told CNN's "Late Edition."

Critics have said the warrantless wiretaps and other surveillance violate privacy rights, and Rep. James Clyburn said yesterday it would be better for Bush to stop trimming homeland security funds.

"We believe very sincerely that we have to equip our first responders with the ability to do the work that needs to be done," said Clyburn (D-S.C.), who appeared with King.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/wn_report/2007/07/02/2007-07-02_us_needs_domestic_spying_say_2_top_pols-1.html