The Uproar Continues

I really hate to say this but "<a href="http://nowherethoughts.net/sarpysam/archives/1404-Whats-the-Surprise.html">I told you so</a>." <br />n<br />n<a href="http://www.billingsgazette.com//index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/12/19/build/nation/35-spy.inc">Attorney general says Bush given authority for domestic spying</a><br />n<br />n<blockquote>Responding to a congressional uproar, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Monday that Congress had essentially given President George W. Bush the authority for domestic surveillance after the Sept. 11 attacks.</blockquote><br />n<br />n<br />nSo, in the President's mind he had Congressional Authority to Spy on US citizens. The question in my mind becomes, when did Congressional authority or Executive Orders ever trump the Constitution?<br />n<br />n<blockquote>Amendment IV<br />n<br />nThe 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. </blockquote><br />n<br />nThe way the Supreme Court has decided to protect citizens from unreasonable search is by a search warrant. So, we have a Constitutional right as citizens to be secure from searches without a warrant. President Bush has said he has violated this provision of the Constitution and will <a href="http://www.billingsgazette.com//index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/12/19/build/nation/22-bushspy.inc">continue to do it</a>. <br />n<br />nTHE PRESIDENT IS WRONG. He has no standing to violate the Constitution.<br />n<br />nThe question now becomes does this rise to the level of impeachment.<br />n<br />n<blockquote>Section 4. The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.</blockquote><br />n<br />nIf President Clinton's offense rose to a level of impeachment, this probably rises to the level of impeachment too.<br />n<br />nOne thing you have to give President Bush on this. He is standing up for his convictions. He says, I did this and will continue to do this because it's right thing to do. A large chunk of people disagree with his assessment but he is sticking to his guns. No lying or hiding. He fessed up and is staking his piece of ground. The piece of ground might sink under the weight of Congressional and public opinion, but he's standing proudly on him. I have to admire that, even if he's wrong.<br />n<br />n<b>When people ask if the United States can afford to place on trial the president, if the system can stand impeachment, my answer is, "Can we stand anything else?" George McGovern</b><br />