Letter: The tyranny within is our greatest fear

Friday, Dec. 23, 2005 | 7:26 a.m.

The big question George W. Bush had to answer to become president was if he would protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. In spite of answering yes, the president has done everything in his power to suspend that document. His argument is that 9/11 somehow eliminated our freedoms.

The latest revelation in our Warfare State has been the spying on American citizens by the National Security Agency. Since courts grant warrants liberally, we can only conclude that avoiding the oversight of the judicial branch means that the spying powers are being abused.

If this means that the Bush administration is targeting political enemies and dissenters such as churches and peace activists, then I'm sure I'm on the enemies list. Are you? How is one to know if we cannot examine the list that has no oversight?

"Trust me," says the president who took us to a war based on lies. "Trust me," says the president who says we do not torture. "Trust me," says the man who is no longer trusted by anyone in the world.

Perhaps it is best not to ask questions in a country where an unchecked authority can spy on you and maybe have you disappear. Even if that did not happen, there is a chilling effect implied for those who are not "with us."

Of course, terrorist violence is to be feared, but is it to be feared more than the tyranny of our own government? We should not have to ask that question.

Jerry Bitts

Las Vegas