It's the Constitution, Stupid

I am amazed, though not surprised by the response of the Bush Administration regarding the recent ruling on the NSA Warrantless spying program. White House press secretary Tony Snow as said that the Bush Administration “couldn’t disagree more.” He also claimed that the program has helped stop terrorist attacks and saved American lives, but of course he provided no evidence to support these outrageous claims.

Here’s my problem with the position or the White House. In her ruling on the NSA warrantless spying program, Judge Anna Diggs Taylor used the word constitution or constitutional no less than 60 times. She left no room for doubt that the Bush Administration had, not just violated the law, which it did, but also that the Administration overstepped its constitutional bounds of separation of powers. Judge Taylor also pointed out that the program clearly violated the constitutional ban on warrantless search and seizure found in the Fourth Amendment.

Not to be dissuaded, the response of the Bush Administration could be encapsulated to say “We’re not going to let a little thing like the Constitution stand in the way of what we want to do!”

This year, I’m working for anyone who will fight this runaway rightwing of the Republican Party. I am so angered by this Administration’s record on human rights and civil rights; I am doing more than changing my vote. I am contributing money to candidates who will protect human rights and civil rights. I am out knocking on doors for progressive candidates. And yes, I am even putting a yard sign out in my yard.

Of course there are still moderates in both parties, those who understand that the Constitution is not a recommendation, but the bedrock of our civil society. To them I would recommend they fix a banner on their wall and look at it everyday. The banner should read “It’s the Constitution, stupid.” Please protect it with all of the power you have.