Wiretapping -- A Serious Issue

The Right-Wing and the Left-Wing are on opposite sides regarding President Bush authorizing wiretaps – without warrants – on American Citizens. Both sides will quote polls that “agree” with their own beliefs. So, since I’m sure that most people do not both to actually read the polls themselves, I figured I’d take the mostly quoted result and pass it on to you. I’m linking to the poll result whenever possible and encourage my readers to read them for themselves.

The Associated Press & Ipsos released a poll that asked the question:

“Should the Bush administration be required to get a warrant from a judge before monitoring phone and internet communications between American citizens in the United States and suspected terrorists, or should the government be allowed to monitor such communications without a warrant?”

56% respondents agreed with the statement: Should be required to get
a warrant, 42% respondents agreed with the statement: Should be allowed to monitor without a warrant and 2% respondents were unsure.

Two important – at least to me – demographics regarding the respondents are as follows:

1. 81% of the respondents are registered to vote at their current address. 18% are not and 1% Refused/Not sure.


2. Of the Registered Voters, their party affiliations break down as so:

REGISTERED
VOTERS
Strongly Republican .......................... 13%
Moderately Republican ........................ 27%
Definitely Independent/neither................. 8%
Moderately Democrat............................32%
Strongly Democrat ............................ 20%
Refused/not sure............................... -
Total Republican ............................. 40%
Total Democrat ............................... 52%

A Rasmussen Poll, conducted in December, 2005, has 64% of Americans agreeing that the National Security Agency be allowed to intercept telephone conversations between terrorism suspects in other countries and people living in the United States.

According to Pat Buchanan, Charles Krauthammer, Lawrence Kudlow and Michael Reagan – all conservatives – this means that American is in support of President Bush’s no warrant wiretapping. But, does it really?

The question doesn’t mention President Bush, doesn’t ask if you want their to be a warrant. The question is (exactly and quoted from Rasmussen’s website):

“Should the National Security Agency be allowed to intercept telephone conversations between terrorism suspects in other countries and people living in the United States?”

No mention of Bush, warrants, etc. So, is this really an American stamp of approval?

I don’t think so. I believe that we Americans, in general, approve of wiretapping, eavesdropping and searches provided that they fall into the realm of the Fourth Amendment, which guarantees against unlawful search and seizure.

Sure, we all understand that the CIA, outside of the borders of the United States spies on foreign governments. We’re all okay with that. But, I don’t believe for one second that the majority of American citizens want a president – whether Democrat, Republican or Libertarian – to be able to, at will and without seeking a warrant, order the wiretapping of American citizens.

This isn’t a Liberal issue.

This isn’t a Conservative issue.

This is an American issue.

Furthermore, if President Bush went against the Fourth Amendment, which he vowed to support when he took his oath of office (I…"will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."), then he needs to be impeached and removed from office.

And, it really doesn’t matter if 64% of Americans support him or 1% of Americans support him. All Americans should believe first and foremost in the Constitution of the United States of America and move to impeach him.

God Bless.