Why? Aren't there any sleeper cells left in the US? Wouldn't we want to know if terrorists (or their sympathizers) were calling from Dearborn to Buffalo, discussing their next plot?
On one hand Gonzalez says the idea of eavesdropping on domestic calls was rejected because of a fear of public backlash and because the DOJ had not fully analyzed the legal issues.
But on the other hand, Gonzalez made it super-clear that the Bush already has (and always had) the constitutional authority to order wiretaps on U.S. citizens and residents without court approval.
Is it possible that widespread domestic wiretapping is already underway and that information is being kept from us?
If so, why?
Bush has already said his most important job is to protect the American people -- that is his whole reason for being President.
That said, shouldn't we just conclude that he is listening to all of our phone calls -- for our own good? Why would there be any public outcry about that?
Oh, I understand the safeguards that are in place. They are very simple: "If you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to worry about."
But shouldn't we be asking if perhaps Bush is spying on his enemies, too?
People can say "No, of course not."
But what is there to stop him if he wanted to?
Who would even know about it?
And if he decided to detain someone as the result of a tapped phone conversation, what rights would that individual have?
History has already shown us that it is possible now to detain an American citizen on American soil, throw him into a military prison indefinitely, refuse to charge him with any crime, refuse to allow him access to a lawyer, and keep him there for several years.
And if that isn't shocking enough, Bush claims that federal courts have no role in even reviewing, let alone limiting or restricting, the Government's detention of American citizens with no due process.
And let's not even discuss torture. No.
Bottom line: the only way Bush can be stopped now is if Congress exercises its constitutional powers to cut off his funding, derail his agenda and, if necessary, impeach and convict him.
And that will never happen unless the opposition party gains majority control of Congress.
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