Terror surveillance was done legally

To the editor:

After reading the Jan. 12 article by Paul Allee, I was compelled to respond with facts.

1. The government never listened to all phone calls. A super-computer was used to sort out buzz words. It was done digitally. The only calls that were monitored were from foreign terror suspects to people living in the U.S. Furthermore, we are not a democracy, we are a representative republic. There's a big difference.

2. While Bill Clinton was president, his surveillance program called Echelon was in effect. The liberal media had nothing but praise for it, saying it was necessary to protect us from terrorism. That program was 10 times more intrusive than President Bush's. Please explain the difference.

While Clinton was president, we were attacked multiple times. His only response was to lob cruise missiles at an aspirin factory, killing innocent people -- all to distract people's attention from the testimony about a blue stained dress.

Bush welcomes an investigation into surveillance, because it was legal. It was also done by presidents Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Clinton.

Please read the Constitution. Allee wouldn't know an impeachable offense if it lied to him under oath.

I can tell Allee has never been to a casino. With the exception of a few candidates, he keeps betting on losers.

WILLIAM TWAIN, Jackson