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Letter: President trampled on Americans’ rights

Friday, June 2, 2006 | 7:19 a.m.

Let's look back a few years and examine our position on domestic spying.

For more than 30 years the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) has provided the government the legal authority to execute warrants to wiretap individuals who may seek to harm our nation. FISA takes into account the need for emergency surveillance. FISA allows wiretapping without a court order in an emergency; the court must simply be notified within 72 hours.

Four presidents - Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Clinton - used FISA to combat terrorism. Only one president, the current commander in chief, has subverted FISA. Domestic spying without a warrant is an unnecessary, unconstitutional abuse of power by this administration. It should be held accountable for its actions, and no one is above the law. Congress did not authorize spying on Americans without a court's approval.

The president's program of spying on Americans is illegal, unjustified, a gross abuse of executive authority and a danger to the basic rights of every American.

Our Constitution is clear: Congress makes the laws, and the president executes the laws.

Chip Antala, North Las Vegas

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