You may recall that last year, the FBI got caught. The FBI got caught using National Security Letters to collect information on Americans without a warrant, and what’s more:
1. The FBI told the Congress that it was using fewer National Security Letters than it was actually using.
2. The FBI was using National Security Letters in non-emergency situations.
3. The FBI was using National Security Letters even when national security was not at issue.
4. The FBI was collecting information beyond that necessary for national security, and then keeping it.
Back last year, the Director of the FBI acknowledged using National Security letters for domestic warrantless spying in matters unrelated to national security only up through 2005.
Today, the Director of the FBI admitted that such abuses actually continued in 2006. But he insists you can really, double dutch, super truly trust the FBI not to abuse its authority now.
Do you trust that statement? You shouldn’t. You should demand that someone be looking over the FBI’s shoulder. And that’s what the 4th Amendment to the Constitution is all about:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Today, Congress stands on the brink (even as the FBI admits new abuses of power) of going in the entirely wrong direction and passing the FISA Amendments Act, which would further demolish instead of restore the checks and warrants that ensure our government isn’t abusing its power. Please, call your member of Congress. Read the 4th Amendment of the Constitution to them. Demand the probable cause warrants you are constitutionally guaranteed. Tell them to vote against the FISA Amendments Act.
To even imagine that Congress would vote AGAINST protecting us from abusive power would have been unthinkable before Bush ruined the government by becoming, effectively, a dictator. Now, it won’t surprise me if Congress caves in yet again, despite all the phone calls, letters, e-mails etc. pleading with them to hold the line. Furthermore, it won’t surprise me to watch the American electorate ACCEPT this complete abomination of their Constitution. We deserve what we put up with, so welcome to the Bush legacy – falling stocks, debt at record levels, financial sector meltdown, housing market stall, spending down, prices up, gas at an all time high, and the economy slowing steadily while the dollar loses ever more value against the other currency in the world. Vote Republican again this year! Terror! Fear!