Senator Feingold Exposes Specter

The 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. Fourth Ameendment

When the fraudulent use of domestic wiretapping at the instigation of President Bush first came to light last January, here is what we heard from Senator Arlen Specter, (R-PA):

Sen. Arlen Specter, whose committee has scheduled hearings Monday on the National Security Agency program, said he believes the administration violated a 1978 law specifically calling for a secretive court to consider and approve such monitoring.

Under the NSA program put in place after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the government has eavesdropped, without seeking warrants, on international phone calls and e-mails of people within the United States who are deemed to be a terrorism risk. Specter Believes Spy Program Violates Law  February 5, 2006.

Now Specter says: "The president may be wrong but he has acted in good faith." March 14, 2006.

Sorry, Senator Specter, when the Bush Administration could easily go to Congress and ask for permission to encroach on the Fourth Amendment, a decision to do otherwise is willful and deliberate. It could not be in good faith.

Just for the hell of it, one more time, since we don't see it enough:

The 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. Fourth Amendment