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Secret wiretaps. Seized bank records. Unconsented physical searches.
Secret computer tracking. Enter the ever-growing government world of domestic
spying.
A recent Washington Post report (Monday, Oct. 24, 2005; A01) stated, "The
FBI has conducted clandestine surveillance on some U.S. residents for as long
as 18 months at a time without proper paperwork or oversight, according to previously
classified documents to be released today.
"Records turned over as part of a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit also
indicate that the FBI has investigated hundreds of potential violations related
to its use of secret surveillance operations."
The report also said, "[FBI] agents obtained e-mails after a warrant expired,
seized bank records without proper authority and conducted an improper 'unconsented
physical search,' according to the documents.
"Although heavily censored, the documents provide a rare glimpse into
the world of domestic spying, which is governed by a secret court and overseen
by a presidential board that does not publicize its deliberations. The records
are also emerging as the House and Senate battle over whether to put new restrictions
on the controversial USA Patriot Act, which made it easer for the government
to conduct secret searches and surveillance but has come under attack from civil
liberties groups."
The Post report quotes David Sobel, general counsel for the Electronic Privacy
Information Center as saying, "We're seeing what might be the tip of the
iceberg at the FBI and across the intelligence community. It indicates that
the existing mechanisms do not appear adequate to prevent abuses or to ensure
the public that abuses that are identified are treated seriously and remedied."
This writer has previously attempted to warn his readers regarding the way
this administration seems obsessed with trampling America's basic liberties
under the rubric of national security. Americans should be very concerned when
any administration, Republican or Democrat, is willing to disregard or even
suspend the Constitution and Bill of Rights-for any reason! And that is exactly
what the Bush administration seems determined to do!
However, the Bush administration does not seem content to routinely abuse our
right to privacy. It has also publicly called for the suspension of Posse Comitatus
and for the U.S. military to take charge of domestic emergencies. (Source: The
Washington Times, "Bush seeks to federalize emergencies," Sept. 27,
2005)
I believe it is urgent that the American people, especially people calling
themselves conservatives, become cognizant of the many attempts by the Bush
administration to eviscerate the constitutional protections of our liberties.
We must not allow this, or any, administration to undo this remarkable experiment
in liberty.
It is incumbent upon all Americans to remember that any government that is
unwilling to conduct itself according to the enumerated principles contained
within the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the U.S. Constitution
is a rogue government deserving neither our submission nor support!
I urge my readers to listen to my radio interview with former Georgia congressman
Bob Barr. (Go to http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/Interview_Barr.html)
At this very moment, House and Senate conferees are meeting to resolve differences
with each chamber's version of the just-passed Patriot Act. The Senate version
is preferable to that of the House. The truth is, the House version is nightmarish,
as it contains almost no safeguards against further governmental abuse of power.
Congress is given oversight of the executive branch but heretofore has done
little to exercise this important responsibility. It is time for people to let
their congressmen know that they will tolerate no more infringements upon their
liberties and privacy! Or have we become so sheepish that what previous generations
of Americans found valuable enough to fight and die to obtain we now find too
cheap to keep?
It is the responsibility of each generation of Americans to pass down to the
next generation of Americans a nation that is both strong and free. This is
not accomplished by laxity or indifference.
Claiming it is protecting America by fighting terrorism abroad, this administration
sends US forces to Iraq and Afghanistan. At the same time, this same administration
invades our privacy, attempts to expunge Posse Comitatus, and routinely ignores
our own laws and Constitution. This, they say, is necessary to protect us from
terrorism at home.
However, if in the quest for national security, Americans are subjected
to ubiquitous surveillance, the loss of our right to privacy, and the abridgement
of personal liberties, who is going to protect us from our own government?