Get A Fucking Warrant

AP (01.08.05):

"A majority of Americans want the Bush administration to get court approval before eavesdropping on people inside the United States, even if those calls might involve suspected terrorists, an AP-Ipsos poll shows." Poll: Most Want Court OK for Gov't Taps

The question: "Should the Bush administration be required to get a warrant from a judge before monitoring phone and internet communications between American citizens in the United States and suspected terrorists, or should the government be allowed to monitor such communications without a warrant?" 56% said yes, thanks be to Jesus. Some, unfortunately, said no. For example, "Cynthia Ice-Bones, 32, a Republican from Sacramento, Calif., said knowing about the program made her feel a bit safer. 'I think our security is so important that we don't need warrants." If you're doing something we shouldn't be doing, then you ought to be caught,' she said." Notwithstanding the interesting mix of pronouns ("If you're doing something we shouldn't be doing"), Cynthia's misunderstanding is typical. She doesn't quite grasp that requiring the government to get a warrant in these circumstances does not interfere in the least with catching bad guys. Just ask the Mafia. Even though 21-year old Oklahoman Harlon Bennett doesn't think the Feds should have to get a warrant for a suspected terrorist, he does seem to understand the nature of the problem: "'Of course, we all could be suspected terrorists.'" Which is exactly what the Fourth Amendment contemplates, and exactly why the Feds should be required to get a goddamned warrant:

"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."

Anyway, age makes a big difference as to how folks answered. "Nearly two-thirds of those between age 18 to 29 believe warrants should be required, while people 65 and older are evenly divided." Not surprising, "(p)arty affiliation is a [big] factor, too. Almost three-fourths of Democrats and one-third of Republicans want to require court warrants."