Domestic Spying Issue Moot?

Imagine if, for example, every day when I get home from work, I get drunk and punch my wife in the face. It's illegal, but I claim that it's not because she's my wife, and therefore my property, and so I am allowed to do it. I get arrested and I'm told that it's illegal, but I retain that it is my right as the man of the house to give my wife a beating if I feel like it. I get arrested. My defense in court is that she's my wife, and my property, so I have not only the right, but the responsibility to keep her in line. The judge can hardly wait to shut down my defense because it has no basis in law. Once that happens, I say, oh well, you win, I'll stop abusing my wife. Can I go home now?

Sound ridiculous?

Well, that's precisely what the Bush administration is trying to get away with [link]. They broke the law, and they deserve to be punished. Yet somehow, that they say they won't do it anymore means they should be off the hook?