Terrorists win when laws are trampled

On Sept. 11, 2001, all of us were victims. On Sept. 12, we all became suspects. As the White House took it upon itself to circumvent the courts and thereby the Constitution, it set out on the closest thing we have ever seen to Big Brother. With presumably every e-mail and potentially every phone call being monitored by the National Security Agency under the guise of securing our country from threats – it seems hard to fathom the possible misuses of such a policy. Think for a moment about who might be a target of such misuse of power. From political opponents to press reporters, the potential and temptation to misuse such a system is exactly why we protect ourselves from this with laws. Laws that no person is above – not even the president himself.

It would be one thing if they took the time to go before the FISA courts and pursued a warrant; however, they have deemed even this a waste of time. Protecting us from terrorists is a good cause, however protecting the rights afforded us by the Constitution is a noble cause and one required by their oath of office. We certainly should be able to protect our rights at the same time that we protect our citizens – for the causes are not in contrast to one another.

We must let our representatives know we will not simply watch this administration treat our Constitution like some “damned piece of paper.” For without this precious document our beloved nation ceases to exist and the terrorists win. I remember an America that wouldn’t allow this to continue. I long for that America to return to the world. I believe that America returns with the impeachment of this administration and the return of law-abiding citizens to government service and positions of power.

Richard Wright

Lynnwood

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