The American Civil Liberties Union asked the Supreme Court today to challenge the domestic spying program set up by President Bush. Organizations and individuals that have sued over being spied on had no legal right to sue, according to the U.S. appeals court, because they could not prove that they had been affected by being spied on.
Uhm, what? They haven’t been affected by being spied on? I’m sorry, but it seems to me that when you start messing around with the Bill of Rights, you affect the whole country.
In case anyone isn’t familiar, the fourth amendment is the one about search and seizure. In order for a search to be conducted, the authorities have to have a warrant obtained because they could prove probable cause for you to have a specific thing that they are looking for in a specific place. If evidence against someone is found without a warrant, even if it unquestionably incriminates the person, it cannot be used to convict that person in court.
Apparently, this doesn’t work for W. Rather than obtaining a warrant to listen in on a phone conversation or read an e-mail, he has given himself permission to read/listen to whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Probable cause? That can always be found later, if they’re guilty. Warrants? Who needs ‘em?
Yes, we are in a war. But even with my adoration of cliches, I just don’t buy that all’s fair in war. This is the Bill of Rights we’re talking about. You can’t just throw that out. Maybe it can’t always happen, but I want a transparent government. If there is someone who is plotting to kill a lot of people, then by all means listen to his phone calls and catch him. But get a warrant first! It’s the President for goodness sakes, surely he won’t have too much trouble finding a judge to sign off on one. Respect the Bill of Rights! Respect the Constitution! They’ve both been around longer than anyone here, and they’ve worked pretty well so far.
