We are, or at least used to be, a nation of laws. Our Constitution is very clear on the issue of civil liberties and individual privacy. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution clearly states, ” 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”. President Bush needs to be reminded of his oath and responsibility to “protect and defend the Constitution of the United States”.

If retroactive and future immunity for the Telecommunications companies is NOT passed, we will not lose any intelligence, as Bush so frequently claims. If this Administration can show probable cause to get a wiretap, then they can go get a warrant. A warrant compels. The Telecommunications companies have to comply. Their is no voluntary aspect to a warrant. So Bush’s claim that the Telecommunications companies would not voluntarily cooperate in the future without the immunity doesn’t hold water. What immunity really does is allow the Bush Administration to disregard the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution with impunity. That can not happen. Again, we are a nation of laws. Our Constitution is the supreme law of the land, not Bush’s wants and fears.