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  Wiretapping unacceptable

    By Jason Hochstatter
    IV Leader Staff

    There is a news story making big waves right now about President Bush authorizing wiretaps without the consent of the courts. This is a very serious issue, and it is still unsure what the ramifications might be.
    Well, just to clear things up, I am going to tell you what I think, and why I think what I think. The president claims that he was doing his duty as the president to protect the American people, and that there was no authorization because they were in too big of a hurry, and that he cannot reveal who they are listening in on because it would jeopardize the taps.
    He also says that they are only listening in on foreign phone calls. I’m a firm believer that many politicians are willing to say just about anything just to cover themselves, and so that last part, to me, is just like waving a big flag that says “Hey!!! We’re lying to you!!!”
    The Fourth Amendment, which reads, “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.”
    Amendment Four is a part of the bill of rights, which means that our president is trampling on our rights, and directly violating the United States Constitution at the same time.
    For those of you who believe that he’s just trying to do his duty to protect the American people, I would like to cite that the President’s oath of office is as follows taken directly from Article II of the U.S. Constitution: “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.”
    George W. Bush has broken his oath as President of the United States by directly breaking the Fourth Amendment. Congress must now do its duty as the legislative branch by impeaching and convicting him of his crime against the Constitution.
    I wonder if my phones will be tapped because of this?

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