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Protect America, protect privacy
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Editor,  With President Bush stumping for extension of the Protect America Act indefinitely, Americans should examine how this legislation would affect our privacy rights.
The Protect America Act (PAA) allows for warrant-less monitoring by the National Security Agency. Sec. 105B. (3) of the act states "the acquisition involves obtaining the foreign intelligence from or with the assistance of a communications service provider, custodian. who has access to communications, either as they are transmitted or while they are stored, or equipment that is being or may be used to transmit or store such communications.”
The PAA further states “A certifications to conduct a search under subsection (a) is not required to identify the specific facilities, places, premises, or property at which the acquisition of foreign intelligence will be directed.”
Contrast the search-warrant process protection under the Fourth Amendment, “no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or Affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be seized.”
We Americans should consider the warning given by James Madison, “if tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.”
 Our Fourth Amendment protections are being stripped away to protect us from foreign threats; meanwhile our supposed protectors are leaving us unprotected with wide-open borders.
Our founders were jealous guardians of our privacy because of experience with British authorities issuing general search warrants without Oath or Affirmation.
Go to JBS.org and search “Protect America Act” for more information on this dangerous legislation.
Also, contact your representatives and demand they oppose this act.


Larry Swanberg
Victorville, Calif.
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