4th Amendment v. National Security Agency
I was just pointed to an interesting MSNBC video snippet where DCI nominee General Michael V. Hayden, who implemented and defended the NSA warrantless wiretap program, refuses to admit that the 4th amendment of the US Constitution requires probable cause for search. The video is quite funny:
“If there’s any amendment to the Constitution that employees of the National Security Agency know very well, its the 4th Amendment.”
Would that be because you’re openly violating it at every chance you can get, Mike?
Which leads me to this other interesting article (not sure if this is true or not, but Google has quite a few references to it): “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!”
Nice. I’ve recently changed my email signature to the following:
“Erosion of civil liberties… is a threat to national security.”
The previous one was just as succinct:
“Do you think the government has no business wire tapping anyone?” No, I think the government has no business wire tapping EVERYONE.
Wired has an eye-opening article on how the NSA is now rising above the legal arm of the Department of Justice, basically telling them to pound sand with regard to their illegal spying activities. In short, the NSA has denied clearance to the DOJ, in an effort to investigate the Bush administrations illegal use of wiretaps. This was also covered in some detail by this article on CNN.
I hate to have to remind the corrupt, totalitarian administration currently in power… but we’re INNOCENT until proven guilty. You seem to believe that somehow we have to prove we’re innocent, while you assume we’re guilty by default. I’m sorry, no. Go back to the caves from whence you came, because that is not how this country is run.
There are a LOT more of us than you, and we’re a LOT more motivated and angry than you can ever be. People are beginning to rise up, you’re artificial reign is over.
You think these paltry laws will stay on the books to continue to twist these citizens to your will? No. Your time is at an end.