Our last line of defense: the Courts

Senate commits to shielding telecoms from suits
By PAMELA HESS, Associated Press Writer
9 July 2008
WASHINGTON - The Senate on Wednesday affirmed its intention to protect from civil lawsuits telecom companies that helped the government wiretap Americans without court authorization after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Again, which word(-s) don't they understand:

Amendment IV

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.

I know I'm naive, but I really don't understand how a simple Act of Congress or an Executive Order can legitimately supersede the plain language of the Bill of Rights.

As expressed previously, my hope is that when a Federal Court finally gets to review one of these cases it finds that,

The United States Constitution being the Supreme Law of the Land, neither the Congress nor the Executive has the competence to arbitrarily abrogate any of its provisions, among which are the Fourth Amendment's protections against unreasonable searches and seizures and the requirement for a warrant based on probable cause.

Yes, I know: wishful thinking.

Recommendation: if your Democratic Senator votes for this bill, make a note of it. Next time s/he is up for re-election, remember this vote!

Stop the madness!