Politics

I am writing to you to express my hope that you will use your role as my representative in the US Senate to attempt to place some limits on the seemingly endless expansion of presidential authority by George W. Bush.

I’m sure you’re aware of the recent reports that, beyond any legislative, judicial, or constitutional authority, he has authorized unrestricted monitoring of US citizens by our intelligence and defense agencies. Not only is this monitoring quite literally unwarranted, it is a direct attack on the separation of executive and judicial powers. Coupled with his other initiatives, it is part of a disturbing trend on which you should take action.

Mr Kennedy, George W. Bush is going to be the President for another 3 years. If you and your colleagues in the Senate do not stand up to him, he will continue to expand his office so dramatically that we may not recognize our country when he leaves it. The United States has already become an international aggressor. We are presently occupying two countries, and threatening others. We have set aside some of our most treasured precepts in this supposed war on terror, including the right to a swift, public trial. Prisoners have been held without charge, some without identification of any sort, for more than three years at our military camps. This is disgraceful conduct for any nation, and were we not the ones carrying on in this manner, I am certain that we would be denouncing those who were.

Respect for human rights, rights of both US citizens and of foreign nationals as fellow human beings, is a founding principle of the United States. One of those rights, as understood through long and reasoned thought in our courts is the right to be free from “unreasonable search and seizure.” Specifically, the fourth amendment to the constitution:

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.

Mr Kennedy, please take action to hold the president to the law and to the limits of his authority. Please encourage your colleagues to do likewise. Do this on our behalf, and you will have my support, my gratitude, and my respect.