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Opinion

Rule of law applies to Bush, too

Nick Somarakis
Opinion Columnist 

George W. Bush must be impeached. Abusing presidential powers, he has authorized the wiretapping of U.S. citizens' phone lines and ignored laws that require warrants before doing so.

Congress established laws that would allow the president power to tap into phone conversations as long as he went through special courts and obtained warrants beforehand. But Bush ordered the wiretaps without the consent or knowledge of Congress and without obtaining the required warrants. 

Bush said he authorized the wiretaps without warrants even though he knew the law required them. He also said he would continue to do so, even though it is illegal. Bush has knowingly and intentionally broken the law, and has stated that he will continue to break the law. 

The National Security Administration, which conducted the wiretappings, said it does not discuss operational issues and declined to comment. With the NSA remaining quiet on the matter, no one will be able to find out whose privacy was invaded and for what reason. Bush has said suspected members of al-Qaida and al-Qaida affiliates were wiretapped, but there is no way to know exactly who was targeted. 

Though not stated explicitly, the Constitution has been interpreted to guarantee the right to privacy. The president's actions have started the erosion of this fundamental right. Even though he knows it to be illegal, Bush will continue to invade the privacy of Americans unless action is taken. He must be impeached.

Bush has spat on the Constitution of the U.S. to ensure he can invade our privacy without our knowledge and without repercussion. The government will be able to listen to anyone's conversations without good reason and he will not have to explain or justify his actions.

President Clinton was impeached for breaking the law when he lied under oath; Bush must be impeached for his illegal activities. 

No one is above the law, and when it comes to presidential power coming in conflict with the Constitution, the Constitution always wins. 

Somarakis, an opinion columnist for The Daily Cougar, 
can be reached at nick_som1@hotmail.com.