Much has been made by this administration about how the "terrorist hate us for our freedoms" and President Bush has even joked that things would be far easier if he were a dictator in press conferences.
Well America woke up this morning to find that their President has been acting exactly as that... a dictator with no regard for the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and has been spying on its citizens in violation of those documents.
During the Clinton administration the mantra that was repeated over and over again and again was, "we are a nation of laws and the rule of law must prevail." The President took an oath:
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
This President has seen fit to disregard that oath and the laws of the land, attack the judiciary and every check and balance that the founding fathers built in to our government.
Apologist for the President have repeatedly claimed that we need to be safe and find the terrorist, in an attempt to justify Bush's legal indiscretions. But the Justice Department and the intelligence agencies had mechanisms in place that easily could have been used for exactly that purpose. As the New York Times article points out:
"Some of those who object to the operation argue that is unnecessary. By getting warrants through the foreign intelligence court, the N.S.A. and F.B.I. could eavesdrop on people inside the United States who might be tied to terrorist groups without skirting longstanding rules, they say.
The standard of proof required to obtain a warrant from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court is generally considered lower than that required for a criminal warrant - intelligence officials only have to show probable cause that someone may be "an agent of a foreign power," which includes international terrorist groups - and the secret court has turned down only a small number of requests over the years. In 2004, according to the Justice Department, 1,754 warrants were approved. And the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court can grant emergency approval for wiretaps within hours, officials say."
http://www.nytimes.com/...
This was insufficient for the "Imperial Bush White House" and he wantonly authorized the circumvention of our laws and the designated role of our courts and freely spied on US citizens.
This flagrant disregard for our Constitution and laws from it, were reflected in his recent meetings with congressional leaders regarding the renewal and expansion of the Patriot Act:
"Last month, Republican Congressional leaders filed into the Oval Office to meet with President George W. Bush and talk about renewing the controversial USA Patriot Act.
Several provisions of the act, passed in the shell shocked period immediately following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, caused enough anger that liberal groups like the American Civil Liberties Union had joined forces with prominent conservatives like Phyllis Schlafly and Bob Barr to oppose renewal.
GOP leaders told Bush that his hardcore push to renew the more onerous provisions of the act could further alienate conservatives still mad at the President from his botched attempt to nominate White House Counsel Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court.
"I don't give a goddamn," Bush retorted. "I'm the President and the Commander-in-Chief. Do it my way."
"Mr. President," one aide in the meeting said. "There is a valid case that the provisions in this law undermine the Constitution."
"Stop throwing the Constitution in my face," Bush screamed back. "It's just a goddamned piece of paper!"" ."
http://www.capitolhillblue.com/...
No Mr. President, the Constitution is not "just a goddamned piece of paper." It is the defining document of who and what we are as a nation. It is the backbone of our body of laws. It is the protector of our freedoms and prevents leaders from becoming rulers and despots.
Citizens of these United States it is time to act. Call your Congressional leaders and demand impeachment hearings take place.
Call Your Senators and Representatives now:
Find your Senator:
http://www.senate.gov/
Find Your Representative:
http://www.house.gov/
Organizations that can help in the fight to save the republic:
http://www.checksbalances.org/
http://www.aclu.org/