Another letter to the good Senators

Following the recent revelation that the current administration has circumvented the FISA court to obtain wire taps of American citizens, I am asking Nebraska's Senators to critically examine whether the President's actions, which he says were legal and in the interest of national security, violated the FISA statute or other US laws that pertain to the privacy and civil rights of American citizens.

As an American, it is more important to me that my government observe the rule of law than protect me from terrorists. I know that if my freedoms, the freedoms that all Americans hold dear, are respected and protected then the terrorists are fighting a lost cause. If my government throws aside my rights and freedoms in the name of security, then the war on terror is already lost. The transparency and accountability built into our nation's system of government is what makes us a great nation. And while there are appropriate secrets and legitimate issues of national security, when it comes to the government's intervention into a citizen's life, whether collecting intelligence or collecting taxes, there are rules and oversights that must be respected.

Ragardless of intention, if the President or anyone in his administration has violated the law by collecting intelligence on Americans without a warrant or judicial oversight, then the rule of law must be followed. What better way to advertise the American Ideal than to demonstrate that no one is above or beyond the law.

I thank you for your time and consideration.