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Senator asks Bush to explain signing statement that gives President authority to open mail without warrant

RAW STORY
Published: Monday January 8, 2007


The following letter, acquired by RAW STORY, was delivered to President Bush Monday, in response to an article published in the NY Daily News which revealed that Bush had written into a "signing statement" that the President could open Americans' mail.

January 8, 2007

The Honorable George W. Bush

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

I am deeply concerned about the signing statement that you issued on December 20, 2006, regarding H.R. 6407, the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act. It raises serious questions about whether the government is reading Americans’ first class mail without obtaining a search warrant or other court order as required by statute.

The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act recodified in a different location an existing provision of federal law, without change, that states as follows:

No letter of such a class of domestic origin shall be opened except under authority of a search warrant authorized by law, or by an officer or employee of the Postal Service for the sole purpose of determining an address at which the letter can be delivered, or pursuant to the authorization of the addressee.[1]

In your signing statement, you stated that the executive branch would construe this provision “in a manner consistent, to the maximum extent permissible, with the need to conduct searches in exigent circumstances, such as to protect human life and safety against hazardous materials, and the need for physical searches specifically authorized by law for foreign intelligence collection.”

At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in February 2006 on the National Security Agency warrantless wiretapping program, Senator Leahy asked Attorney General Alberto Gonzales whether the executive branch was relying in other contexts on the theory that the Authorization for the Use of Military Force gave it the authority to violate the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and other statutes. Specifically, Senator Leahy asked: “Did it authorize the opening of first-class mail of U.S. citizens?” The Attorney General attempted to avoid answering the question, but ultimately stated: “Senator, I think that, again, that is not what is going on here. We are only focused on communications, international communications, where one party to the communication is al Qaeda. That is what this program is all about.”

You have already confirmed that you have authorized the NSA to conduct surveillance of communications without obtaining the court orders required by FISA. Your December 20, 2006, signing statement now suggests that you believe you have the authority to violate the law with regard to opening regular mail. The American people and Congress are entitled to know whether you have acted on that theory. Please answer the following question: has your administration authorized any government agency to read Americans’ first-class mail without obtaining a search warrant, complying with the applicable court order requirements of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or satisfying Postal Service regulations?

I look forward to your expeditious reply.

Sincerely,

Russell D. Feingold

United States Senator

1: A separate regulation, promulgated in 1996, states that the Postal Service can open a piece of mail when there is a credible threat that it contains a bomb or other explosive device. 39 C.F.R. § 233.11

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Senator_asks_Bush_to_...in_signing_0108.html
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Where are all the "conservatives" on this issue of Bush opening personal mail at random? Where are the "libertarians" on this? Hey where are you democrats on this? I can't hear you! Of all those that claim to be either on this very forum, I haven't seen one of them rise to defend personal freedom.

Are they all hypocrites? Do they all support jack-booted thug government as long as it is Bush's boots being put up their behinds?

It is totally unacceptable to have all civil rights removed and none of the "conservatives" or "libertarians" are saying word one about it.
Last edited by Jan55
quote:
Originally posted by PBA54:
Where are all the "conservatives" on this issue of Bush opening personal mail at random? Where are the "libertarians" on this? Hey where are you democrats on this? I can't hear you! Of all those that claim to be either on this very forum, I haven't seen one of them rise to defend personal freedom.

Are they all hypocrites? Do they all support jack-booted thug government as long as it is Bush's boots being put up their behinds?

It is totally unacceptable to have all civil rights removed and none of the "conservatives" or "libertarians" are saying word one about it.


Now I KNOW you dont read all the posts/replies... because I have been saying for a WEEK about Bush making his own laws and agenda... good grief, do you think you are the only one who knows this?

Looks like someone UP THERE finally got busy investigating... but read the dang boards, I have made at least 10 comments about this SAME THING and been ignored.... Some people just dont want to believe dubbya can do any wrong.

Not only that, the President does NOT make laws...(illegal wire tapping, first class mail just to name a couple) BUT dubbya does!!!!! Anyone who agrees with him doing what he is doing cannot be a believer of the constitution and rules of making laws.
Last edited by Kindred
quote:
Originally posted by Kindred_Spirit:
quote:
Originally posted by PBA54:
Where are all the "conservatives" on this issue of Bush opening personal mail at random? Where are the "libertarians" on this? Hey where are you democrats on this? I can't hear you! Of all those that claim to be either on this very forum, I haven't seen one of them rise to defend personal freedom.

Are they all hypocrites? Do they all support jack-booted thug government as long as it is Bush's boots being put up their behinds?

It is totally unacceptable to have all civil rights removed and none of the "conservatives" or "libertarians" are saying word one about it.


Now I KNOW you dont read all the posts/replies... because I have been saying for a WEEK about Bush making his own laws and agenda... good grief, do you think you are the only one who knows this?

Looks like someone UP THERE finally got busy investigating... but read the dang boards, I have made at least 10 comments about this SAME THING and been ignored.... Some people just dont want to believe dubbya can do any wrong.

Not only that, the President does NOT make laws...(illegal wire tapping, first class mail just to name a couple) BUT dubbya does!!!!! Anyone who agrees with him doing what he is doing cannot be a believer of the constitution and rules of making laws.


Whoa Horse!! Get off your jack*** and get back on before you start jumping all over my ***. In most of our posts we agree with each other and you sound like a democrat but you are way too!!!! far to the right still. You're more far right conservative democrat than you are moderate. I've tried to agree with you but you keep coming at me with stabs. So give me a break. I didn't mean any certain one in this forum. I meant the majority needs to get on the band wagon. If you really believe like I do, you need to help me out with some of these idiots from the right wing republican side who are giving me all kinds of hell. Anyway, have a good day. It's all just a post anyway. P.S. I think we know each other. I think we go to the same church if I'm not badly mistaken. LOL.
Last edited {1}
quote:
Originally posted by midknightrider:
If you really believe like I do, you need to help me out with some of these idiots from the right wing republican side who are giving me all kinds of hell.


You probably wouln't catch so much hell if you didn't call everyone that doesn't agree with you an idiot. Just a thought. Wink[/QUOTE]


LOL I think you got it all backward,I catch the bull because I don't agree with them. I could care less if they agree or disagree!! Hey its no skin off my back what they think and life goes on!
quote:
Originally posted by PBA:
quote:
Originally posted by Kindred_Spirit:
quote:
Originally posted by PBA54:
Where are all the "conservatives" on this issue of Bush opening personal mail at random? Where are the "libertarians" on this? Hey where are you democrats on this? I can't hear you! Of all those that claim to be either on this very forum, I haven't seen one of them rise to defend personal freedom.

Are they all hypocrites? Do they all support jack-booted thug government as long as it is Bush's boots being put up their behinds?

It is totally unacceptable to have all civil rights removed and none of the "conservatives" or "libertarians" are saying word one about it.


Now I KNOW you dont read all the posts/replies... because I have been saying for a WEEK about Bush making his own laws and agenda... good grief, do you think you are the only one who knows this?

Looks like someone UP THERE finally got busy investigating... but read the dang boards, I have made at least 10 comments about this SAME THING and been ignored.... Some people just dont want to believe dubbya can do any wrong.

Not only that, the President does NOT make laws...(illegal wire tapping, first class mail just to name a couple) BUT dubbya does!!!!! Anyone who agrees with him doing what he is doing cannot be a believer of the constitution and rules of making laws.


Whoa Horse!! Get off your jack*** and get back on before you start jumping all over my ***. In most of our posts we agree with each other and you sound like a democrat but you are way too!!!! far to the right still. You're more far right conservative democrat than you are moderate. I've tried to agree with you but you keep coming at me with stabs. So give me a break. I didn't mean any certain one in this forum. I meant the majority needs to get on the band wagon. If you really believe like I do, you need to help me out with some of these idiots from the right wing republican side who are giving me all kinds of hell. Anyway, have a good day. It's all just a post anyway. P.S. I think we know each other. I think we go to the same church if I'm not badly mistaken. LOL.


Don't you DARE judge me, because you will definitely get it wrong, you dont even know me.
quote:
Originally posted by Kindred_Spirit:
quote:
Originally posted by PBA:
quote:
Originally posted by Kindred_Spirit:
quote:
Originally posted by PBA54:
Where are all the "conservatives" on this issue of Bush opening personal mail at random? Where are the "libertarians" on this? Hey where are you democrats on this? I can't hear you! Of all those that claim to be either on this very forum, I haven't seen one of them rise to defend personal freedom.

Are they all hypocrites? Do they all support jack-booted thug government as long as it is Bush's boots being put up their behinds?

It is totally unacceptable to have all civil rights removed and none of the "conservatives" or "libertarians" are saying word one about it.


Now I KNOW you dont read all the posts/replies... because I have been saying for a WEEK about Bush making his own laws and agenda... good grief, do you think you are the only one who knows this?

Looks like someone UP THERE finally got busy investigating... but read the dang boards, I have made at least 10 comments about this SAME THING and been ignored.... Some people just dont want to believe dubbya can do any wrong.

Not only that, the President does NOT make laws...(illegal wire tapping, first class mail just to name a couple) BUT dubbya does!!!!! Anyone who agrees with him doing what he is doing cannot be a believer of the constitution and rules of making laws.


Whoa Horse!! Get off your jack*** and get back on before you start jumping all over my ***. In most of our posts we agree with each other and you sound like a democrat but you are way too!!!! far to the right still. You're more far right conservative democrat than you are moderate. I've tried to agree with you but you keep coming at me with stabs. So give me a break. I didn't mean any certain one in this forum. I meant the majority needs to get on the band wagon. If you really believe like I do, you need to help me out with some of these idiots from the right wing republican side who are giving me all kinds of hell. Anyway, have a good day. It's all just a post anyway. P.S. I think we know each other. I think we go to the same church if I'm not badly mistaken. LOL.


Don't you DARE judge me, because you will definitely get it wrong, you dont even know me.



you judge me and you don't know me. it works both ways! be kind be kind be kind!
I am reporting you to AM of Times Daily.... I have had enough of your judgements, your snide/stupid replies to people on this forum, I am tired of your taking control over the whole forum with so many posts it is unreal... which NO ONE EVEN WANTS TO READ...

We all had the same subjects that we were bouncing off of in other posts, but did you go there and give YOUR opinion... NOOOOOO, you wrote 100 posts of your own, when there were already EXISTING posts that slipped away because you wanted YOUR name on the front page of topics instead of just being like the rest of us, and taking part in the existing topic at hand, do you EVER give an opinion that isnt slathered with sarcasm or insulting remarks?

You are doing all this ON PURPOSE too, because if no one replies to your posts, YOU will reply to keep them on the front page, (how sad)... You want to created havoc with the forum, and I will NOT allow you that power!!!!
Last edited by Kindred
quote:
Originally posted by Kindred_Spirit:
You either do not understand how forums work, or you dont care and push the buttons of all involved, including the ADMINS of this site.

Go to FEEDBACK and read the topic, "hey AM, got a question"... then read AM's reply. You might learn something.


I'am going to to talk to somebody at times daily monday about all this.I talked to the Admin friday and she was very nice and lead me to think all was ok. I have made copies of the post that you and others post to me and how all this got started, anyway I will talk to her or if i have to I will go higher if need to. You're right this mess needs to stop. I have invited many to join this forum.forums will push button because most do or do not agree,but its ok to push a button, its how you push and you and others have push my buttons as well as other people but you just keep stirring up the mess. let it die and get on here and have fun and quit attacking me. I have the same rights as you.
quote:
Originally posted by PBA:
quote:
Originally posted by Kindred_Spirit:
You either do not understand how forums work, or you dont care and push the buttons of all involved, including the ADMINS of this site.

Go to FEEDBACK and read the topic, "hey AM, got a question"... then read AM's reply. You might learn something.


I'am going to to talk to somebody at times daily monday about all this.I talked to the Admin friday and she was very nice and lead me to think all was ok. I have made copies of the post that you and others post to me and how all this got started, anyway I will talk to her or if i have to I will go higher if need to. You're right this mess needs to stop. I have invited many to join this forum.forums will push button because most do or do not agree,but its ok to push a button, its how you push and you and others have push my buttons as well as other people but you just keep stirring up the mess. let it die and get on here and have fun and quit attacking me. I have the same rights as you.


Attacking you??? Oh my, how you sure are twisting your words here... trying to convince AM or yourself?

You are the one who started all of this with ALL the people on here, you just chose ME to be your cursing board, which I will not allow you that power, NO ONE does that to me in real life, and certainly not on a message board.

OHHH, you have invited people here? Is that where the flood came in?

Yes, it IS okay to push buttons, and you are right again on HOW you push them, But YOU are the very one crying foul, who commited the foul in the first place, .... You dont have to talk to TD Monday, I have already done that... and you dont have to SAVE anything, it is all here in print... all here, except what YOU had taken off..

OH YEAH, thats right, you did take your comments away where you were calling me names and cursing me... but you forgot one thing, a lot of people who replied to you (telling you how wrong you were) actually captured that message... so yes, lets SAVE things, I know who the winner will be.

NO ONE is attacking you, you are the attacker, and not just to me either, to a LOT on here.

Please stop trying to "Play the Victim"... that game is getting old, and there IS a reason that PBA54 disappeared, and PBA was born... care to share that?
Now it isn't just what I 'thought'... now it is what I KNOW!!!

Spamming the boards is your little "fun" game, and you love creating all this mess... but thing is, you aren't man enough to hold on a real debate... I can tell that...

I would LOVE to see you, Uber, Brent, Ed, themax, MADDOG, and a couple others in a REAL debate... you would wimp out so quick it would be unreal.

I know now that you will not come back to a hot topic, or a question that you want to avoid...

The kitchen is just too hot.

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