Poverty Is Not an Accident

Poverty Is Not an Accident
Nelson Mandela

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

email to Heather Wilson

You are reading http://livinginthehood.blogspot.com

Ms. Wilson,

One of your latest ads really scares me. It's why so many of us are worried about the Bush Administration's approach to the war on terrorism, the "Patriot Act," etc.

Ms. Wilson, it's not wrong for an official to request an actual warrant, signed by a judge, before searching someone's property or "tapping" their phones, whether or not they are suspected of possible terrorism.

We cannot allow our fears to cause us to compromise the most valuable resource we have in this country -- the main thing that sets us apart, even from other democracies: the United States Constitution.

People are playing fast and loose with our rights, calling it necessary for security, and undermining our citizens' rights to live without fear of an autocratic system. Locking people up, without access to attorneys or suits to protest the constitutionality of the detainment, illegal wire tapping, spying on US citizens and legal residents: these are the tactics of dictators and fascists.

I love my country. I love it because we have a legal document, the Constitution, which guarantees real protections from potential abuses of power.

Your ad is really terrifying. It threatens the very foundation of our nation.