Is anyone following the recent vote of the Democratic controlled U. S. Senate to permit “government to monitor, with no warrant, electronic communications in this Country?” Simply stated, the ability to permit our government to spy on American citizens.
Let’s look at the Fourth Amendment that reads: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”
Osama’s impact on this nation is beyond belief. Homeland Security is something we never had to deal with prior to 9-11. Even during World War II we never had this national police scrutiny. Homeland Security goes beyond the massive agency created to monitor our travel to now permit spying on American citizens.
This latest action permits surveillance on any one of us without court approval.
While we may rightly say “we have nothing to hide,” we must also retain the protections put into place by our forefathers. For the past 10 plus years I have fought to protect our property rights as stated in the Fifth Amendment and now see another erosion to our Constitution.
While this program was requested by President Bush, what do Juice readers think about the recent Senate vote?
The Democrats showed just how spineless they can be when standing up to Bush on national security issues. Nuff said.
The New York Times coverage of an afterthought of this action reports that “the dispute illustrates how lawmakers, in a frentic, end-of-session scramble, passed legislation they may not have fully understood and may have given the administration more surveillance powers than it sought.”
Nice. Our highest level of elected office, the US Senate, just below the president, wings it so they can go on vacation?
The article, that you can find on the Drudge Report, adds a comment by former Bush/Clinton Justice Department lawyer David Kris who is quoted to say that “this may give the administration even more authority than people thought.”
Or as Larry Gilbert might say.
“Ready, fire, aim.” Great job Senators. We will reward you with another six years representing our interests and security inside the beltway.
When does the supreme court step in and toss this out as a violation of constitution?
I bet the “we have nothing to hide,” conservatives won’t mind it when President Hillary Clinton has acquired the expanded executive powers they so fiercely defend Bush obtaining during his tenure in the Oval Office.
Sorry Larry, but this entire prgram was push for by The Bush Adminstration; the Senate was handcuffed into making a vote on it. To pin this all on Dems is a joke.
It’s a pox on both of their houses, not just the R’s or D’s it’s, as I have said for years both of them….
“Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.”
Benjamin Franklin
Sac.
My sense is that no one will bring a challenge forward. Oh, perhaps the ACLU but I doubt it.
Dan.
Dan are you kidding? When do Democrats in the US Senate feel threatened by George Bush as they try to tar and feather him in the media for every one of his actions?
Carl.
You are right. Quoting Ben Franklin is surely appropriate in this case. We are on that slippery slope and need someone to have the courage to step up and apply the brakes.
Larry,
Your spin doesn’t play. EVERY Republican in both houses voted for SB 1927.
Unfortunately some of our own who crossed the line and I hope they will be called into account. Senator Fienstein is one.
On the House side, I will stay local – with the exception on Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (who voted No), the Orange County Delegation to the House including Rohabacher voted FOR SB 1927.
Presidential Wannabes (knowing that not all serve in Congress)
Reps:
Brownback – Yes
McCain No Vote (???)
Dems:
Kucinich – No
Clinton – No
Obama – No
Dodd – No
Biden – No
I am appalled to say the least!:/