I didn't write most of this
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090303/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/terror_memos
March 3, 2009
The Justice Department released nine legal opinions showing that the Bush administration determined that certain constitutional rights would not apply during the coming (anti-terrorism) fight. Within two weeks, government lawyers were already discussing ways to wiretap U.S. conversations without warrants.
The legal memos written by the Bush administration's Office of Legal Counsel show a government grappling with how to wage war on terrorism in a fast-changing world. The conclusion, reiterated in page after page of documents, was that the president had broad authority to set aside constitutional rights. Fourth Amendment protections against unwarranted search and seizure, for instance, did not apply in the United States.
"First Amendment speech and press rights may also be subordinated to the overriding need to wage war successfully," Deputy Assistant Attorney General John Yoo wrote, adding later: "The current campaign against terrorism may require even broader exercises of federal power domestically."
The memos reflected a belief within the Bush administration that the president had broad powers that could not be checked by Congress or the courts. That stance, in one form or another, became the foundation for many policies: holding detainees at Guantanamo Bay, eavesdropping on U.S. citizens without warrants, using tough new CIA interrogation tactics and locking U.S. citizens in military brigs without charges (Article I, Section 9; The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion.)
Also…..
The CIA destroyed 92 videos involving terror suspects, including interrogations.
"The large number of videotapes destroyed confirms that the agency engaged in a systematic attempt to hide evidence of its illegal interrogations and to evade the court's order," ACLU attorney Amrit Singh said.
The Constitution of the United States
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html
Article. II.Section. 1. (The President) before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Article. VI. This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
Has the whole country gone deaf, blind, and dumb? Two hundred years ago, our founding fathers didn't trust a single individual to protect Americans. They were right and we sit on our thumbs and watch our civil liberties, our constitutional rights, being eroded, subverted, and violated by the people we elect to protect them.
And the American public views anybody who is outraged by these attacks on American freedom as radical? Since when did patriotism become following blindly?
If our constitutional rights are not protected, in a few short years they will cease to exist. Is this the kind of country you want your kids to live in? Maybe your Grandkids?
Whatever............