"From Watergate we learned what generations before us have known...our Constitution works. And during the Watergate years, it was interpreted so as to reaffirm that no one...absolutely no one...is above the law."-Leon Jaworski
Thursday, U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor, ruled that the NSA surveillance program unconstitutional. In the 43 page ruling, Judge Diggs went on to say that the government, in defending the program, "appeared to be saying the president had the inherent power to violate laws of Congress. It was never the intent of the framers to give the president such unfettered control... There are no hereditary Kings in America and no powers not created by the Constitution. So all 'inherent powers' must derive from that Constitution.
On Friday, Bush fired back with his displeasure. In speaking of the opponents of the surveillance program, Bush declared that they, "do not understand the nature of the world in which we live. I strongly disagree with that decision, strongly disagree. That's why I instructed the Justice Department to appeal immediately, and I believe our appeals will be upheld."
Sigh. I suspect they will. Bush will keep trying to get this, infraction of our Constitutional rights, turned back into his favor because he believes that he is indeed above the law. The thing is, we all know that America is no safer then pre 9/11, and that we will get no help from his administration in the event of another disaster natural or not. If he does manage to get things reversed back into his favor, it will set a precedent that will change the Constitution of the United States. He promised to protect and defend the Constitution, not rewrite it to suit his administration's agenda. Sigh. It will mean one more thing, it will mean that Osama Bin Laden will have been victorious, 5 years after he struck America, in bringing about a change to our Constitution, and our civil rights as Americans and the personal freedoms we have been fighting for. Ironic, isn't it? By the way, nearly 5 years has gone by, why haven't we captured Osama Bin Laden yet? Still waiting for an answer to that question.
"Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties."
-Abraham Lincoln
-OndineMonet
3 comments:
Beautifully stated, Carly.
If only America would listen to the caution the concerned among us sound.
Yes, I agree, this is very alarming. That we have two more years of the Bush presidency means there is plenty of time for him to make this change to the Constitution. It's good to read your post, which reflects my own concerns.
I'm with Sam. Not even newest version of the Supreme Court will side with him on this.
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