http://www.qctimes.net/articles/2006/01/21...4d669126485.txt


Bush administration uses paranoia tactic
By Greg Graf , Rock Island

OK. It’s now public knowledge that the president has authorized the spying on American citizens. The administration has tried to bypass the Constitution by saying that the FBI is only monitoring calls going outside the U.S. This was to be done without the knowledge of the American people.

This is still an invasion of privacy and violates the Fourth Amendment, unless there is “probable cause supported by oath or affirmation.” In the Bush administration, all it takes is for some one to speak against the ideals of the current president (allowed by the First Amendment) for there to be considered probable cause.


And according to the Patriot Act, this gives carte blanche to the FBI to investigate and spy on American citizens without fear of repercussions. These persons could easily be arrested and have his home seized along with all their assets. All it would take is for someone to maliciously point this person out even if it weren’t true.

Under the rule of Mao Tse Tung, in Communist China communities lived under the fear of their own kind spying on them and turning them in for even disagreeing with the government. These people feared arrest and imprisonment for their beliefs. I can’t help but feel that we no longer have a president leading this country, but a dictator that thinks he can do as he sees fit. This does not instill confidence in our current leaders, but fear of our neighbors and our government.

Greg Graf
Rock Island