New York Daily News:
President Bush has quietly claimed sweeping new powers to open Americans' mail without a judge's warrant, the Daily News has learned.
The President asserted his new authority when he signed a postal reform bill into law on Dec. 20. Bush then issued a "signing statement" that declared his right to open people's mail under emergency conditions.
That claim is contrary to existing law and contradicted the bill he had just signed, say experts who have reviewed it.
This is why Bush has vetoed exactly one bill since taking office; he believes he gets to change bills on his desk with signing statements. Where are all those people who get all bent out of shape over 'judicial activism' and 'legislating from the bench?' Apparently, executive activism and legislating from the Oval Office isn't as big a problem. The 'strict constitutionalists' don't really give a damn about the constitution -- if they did, they'd be complaining about Bush's abuses of signing statements and disregard for law.
Tags: news | politics | Bush | law | privacy | spying | surveillance | constitution | civil rights
