Bush signing may mean government can read your mail w/o warrent!

[liftsiron]

Bush signing may mean government can read your mail w/o warrant!

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A signing statement attached to postal legislation by President Bush last month may have opened the way for the government to open mail without a warrant.

The White House denies any change in policy.

The law requires government agents to get warrants to open first-class letters.

But when he signed the postal reform act, Bush added a statement saying that his administration would construe that provision "in a manner consistent, to the maximum extent permissible, with the need to conduct searches in exigent circumstances. ..."

"The signing statement raises serious questions whether he is authorizing opening of mail contrary to the Constitution and to laws enacted by Congress," said Ann Beeson, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union.

"What is the purpose of the signing statement if it isn't that?"

She said the group is planning to file request for information on how this exception will be used.

The ACLU also wants to know if it has already been used to open mail.

White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said there was nothing new in the signing statement.

In his daily briefing Snow said: "All this is saying is that there are provisions at law for -- in exigent circumstances -- for such inspections. It has been thus. This is not a change in law, this is not new."

Postal Vice President Tom Day added: "As has been the long-standing practice, first class mail is protected from unreasonable search and seizure when in postal custody. Nothing in the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act changes this protection. The president is not exerting any new authority."

However, New York Democratic Sen. Charles E. Schumer criticized Bush's action.

"Every American wants foolproof protection against terrorism. But history has shown it can and should be done within the confines of the Constitution," said Schumer.

"This last-minute, irregular and unauthorized reinterpretation of a duly passed law is the exact type of maneuver that voters so resoundingly rejected in November."

The ACLU's Beeson noted that there has been an exception allowing postal inspectors to open items they believe might contain a bomb.

"His signing statement uses language that's broader than that exception," she said.

Bush uses the phrase exigent circumstances: "The question is what does that mean and why has he suddenly putting this in writing if this isn't a change in policy," she said.

In addition to suspecting a bomb or getting a warrant, the law allows postal officials to open letters that can't be delivered as addressed -- but only to determine if they can find a correct address or a return address.

Bush has issued at least 750 signing statements during his presidency, more than all other presidents combined, according to the American Bar Association.

Typically, presidents have used signing statements for such purposes as instructing executive agencies how to carry out new laws.

Bush's statements often reserve the right to revise, interpret or disregard laws on national security and constitutional grounds.

"That non-veto hamstrings Congress because Congress cannot respond to a signing statement," ABA president Michael Greco has said.

The practice, he added, "is harming the separation of powers."

The president's action was first reported by the New York Daily News.

The full signing statement said:

"The executive branch shall construe subsection 404(c) of title 39, as enacted by subsection 1010(e) of the act, which provides for opening of an item of a class of mail otherwise sealed against inspection, 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.

[Goes4ever]

yep, just read that in the paper today, what a joke, we are so far from being free it isn't funny

[powerlifter]

The beginnings of Facism

[Pdogg310]

seriously, this guy has got to go.

[Aber1784]

little by little all are rights are going

[huge500lb]

dam he needs to go

[Budlite74]

its not like email was secured anyways?

[AlmostThere]

We are letting our rights slip away. Alot of us dont vote. When we do vore there usually isnt shi to chose from. Just one rich prick after another with his own agenda.
The whole patriot act did so much more harm t our way of life then it will ever do good.
We let right after right slip to the way side in the interest of protection. Makes me sick

Read George Orwells 1984 we are headed that way fast.

[liftsiron]

Originally Posted by Budlite74

its not like email was secured anyways?

This is US mail...priority packs to.

[powerlifter]

Originally Posted by liftsiron

This is US mail...priority packs to.

Soon nothing will be private