Bush's wiretaps must not go unchecked

To the editor;

Jeff Jernigan correctly points out that, whether legal or illegal, previous citizen presidents of the U.S. have ordered wiretaps without warrants in emergency situations.

These wiretaps are different from President Bush's use of wiretaps in two ways.

First, earlier presidents used wiretaps in situations that had clear beginning and ending points, such as FDR's use of wiretaps in World War II. The so-called war on terror had a beginning in this country on 9-11, but there is no clear definition of either the enemy and certainly no ending point, as terrorism will most likely continue indefinitely. Do we want our presidents to be above the law from this time forward?

Second, earlier presidents were not subject to the Patriot Act, a legal act of Congress that allows the president to order emergency wiretaps so long as he notifies the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and seeks a warrant after the fact. That Mr. Bush failed to follow this procedure and is unapologetic is frightening, as his attitude is that the president is above the law and can defy it at will.

The United States built a government of checks and balances specifically to avoid such behavior. If we, as citizens, allow Mr. Bush's wiretaps to go unchecked, we are giving away the rights our forebears fought and died for, and we deserve not a citizen president, but a king who does as he pleases without regard for law.

IDA DOMAZLICKY, Cape Girardeau