This is but the latest attack upon our constitution by a disillusioned want-a-be dictator, and his jack-booted cohorts.
From the New York Times:
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 — The Pentagon has been using a little-known power to obtain banking and credit records of hundreds of Americans and others suspected of terrorism or espionage inside the United States, part of an aggressive expansion by the military into domestic intelligence gathering.
The C.I.A. has also been issuing what are known as national security letters to gain access to financial records from American companies, though it has done so only rarely, intelligence officials say.
The article is a must read, then it becomes a must DO!
The possible consequences of this Constitutionally criminal, covert invasion of American's privacy are unfathomable. I was exceptionally disturbed to learn that NO ONE in Congress was aware.
Although the military letters are not mandatory, according to VP Cheney, a receiving institution has to go to court if they refuse to open the requested records. Tell me. What institution is going to refuse a "military letter"?
Internet providers have given up our emails and surfing habits. The phone companies have given up the records of those we call, the President can now open our snail mail without a warrant and now, this!
Given those facts, I have no faith in this administration's ability to restrain themselves from attempting further erosion of American Civil/Human Rights. We are talking about the MILITARY snooping in our personal lives! I cannot begin to tell you just how frightening the idea is to me.
The Bush administration MUST BE STOPPED! Their pattern has been to get rid of those who do not agree with them or dares to question their actions.
Believe me! Someone in this administration has read every progressive protestation written and probably written a report on the author; which may or may not have moved up the administrative ladder.
There is no doubt in my mind that every progressive organization and group has been or will be investigated for what this administration loosely defines as terrorist activities.
Congress MUST act to stop this ... We must act to stop this ... yet another letter and/or phone call to our elected officials to protest. If that does not work, if Congress fails to act, it may soon be time for Americans to take to the streets for their own freedom ... much less Iraq's!
On this day, the day we commemorate the life and teachings of Martin Luther King, let us not forget that just short of dying for your country, peaceful protest is the most PATRIOTIC of all actions.
Join WeDemocrats.org and protest this unprecedented attack on our liberties, our freedoms and our American way of life.
Ron McBride
WeDemocrats.org
Founder & Chairman
Publisher of WE! The People online magazine
ron@wedemocrats.org