Can we get some paramedics for the Fourth Amendment:
Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales today left open the possibility that President Bush could order warrantless wiretaps on telephone calls occurring solely within the United States, dramatically expanding the potential reach of the National Security Agency’s controversial surveillance program.
In response to a question from Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) during an appearance before the House Judiciary Committee, Gonzales said the government would have to determine if a conversation was related to al-Qaeda and crucial to fighting terrorism before deciding whether to listen in without court supervision.
“I’m not going to rule it out,” Gonzales said, referring to the possibility of monitoring purely domestic communications.
I don’t really have much to add to that, as this administration’s flagrant disregard for the Constitution speaks for itself. History is not going to be kind to President Bush, which is the least of what he deserves for this kind of behavior. I’m more concerned for the consequences we’ll have to undo as a citizenry once we’ve finally stumbled to January 2009. The magnitude overwhelms. That it’s unnecessary makes it worse.
and wonder how they going to know if they need to listen in without first listening?
sigh
br3n