The Collegian

Issue date: 10/3/06 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: Ken Fung

The security of a nation is not superior to the protection of civil rights and liberties. A nation that is operated by the violation of those principles is not worth defending. So when the Democrats surrendered to Republican claims that they were coddling terrorists by not sanctioning presidential power to run warrantless wiretaps, they became just as culpable for the violation of individual rights as the Republicans who initiated the bill.

There is no justification for a bill that permits the federal government to eavesdrop on individuals without due legal process. If the government suspects terrorism within national borders, let them do as administrations before them have done, and compile the evidence constitutionally. It is not the fault of innocent citizens that even when officials have evidence, the government fails to act upon it, as with the attacks on the Cole and September 11. If federal officials are not competent within their current powers, there is no reason to increase them.

Commenting on the Democrats' recalcitrance to approve the bill, Majority Leader John Boehner said that "to always have reasons why you just can't vote 'yes,' I think speaks volumes when it comes to which party is better able and more willing to take on the terrorists and defeat them," according to the Associated Press. In other words, to oppose the Republican agenda is back-pedaling. What Boehner must have missed at the beginning of this last week was the declassified report that the Republican agenda has increased the terrorist danger since 9/11, otherwise he would not dare to suggest that his party has actually effectively taken on the abstract terrorism. What they have done is spread American forces out. What they have done is created anti-military, anti-expansionism, and anti-globalization sentiment worldwide. What they have done is alienate us from other countries, who blame us for their increasing terrorist problems-and that will rebound to whoever is in office after November.

The House bill states that the president can conduct warrantless wiretaps if he notifies the proper intelligence committees and congressional leaders, "believes" an attack is imminent (later explains why), and renews his license every 90 days. All he needs are yes

men, possible cause, and a rubber stamp. We agreed to be spied upon because…? The House bill [H.R. 5825] is pending a Senate recognition and reconciliation between the differences, though hopefully none will be achieved before majority control of Congress shifts.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools