Action Alert

As you probably saw in the news this morning, the Bush administration is facing growing backlash from across the political spectrum on its secret, allegedly illegal wiretapping program. Even conservative leaders like Grover Norquist are calling for investigations.¹ Yesterday, the administration released yet another legal defense—but many of the arguments were already debunked by the non-partisan Congressional Research Service.²

Breaking the law to spy on American citizens is a very serious abuse of power, but many members of Congress think people will let it slide. So we're launching a petition that asks for a special prosecutor—like Patrick Fitzgerald—to find out the facts, and asks Congress to hold a real investigation into what happened. We're also asking for protection for whistleblowers who come forward with evidence of wrongdoing.

Can you help us reach 250,000 signers before we deliver it at the Congressional hearings on President Bush's wiretaps in early February? Just go to:

http://political.moveon.org/ruleoflaw?id=6686-3396758-w54z1mPSL2Xdd2df_mYciQ&t=3

On Monday, former Vice President Al Gore gave a speech about the program, where he said: "What we do know about this pervasive wiretapping virtually compels the conclusion that the president of the United States has been breaking the law, repeatedly and persistently."

We seldom send you speeches to read or watch, but this address is very important. It's powerful, inspiring, and "reality-based." At a time when politicians talk about balancing freedom and safety, Gore makes the case that open democracy and freedom are essential for security. You can watch, listen to, or read the speech here:

http://www.libertyspeeches.org?id=6686-3396758-w54z1mPSL2Xdd2df_mYciQ&t=1

President Bush has admitted that he personally authorized thousands of apparently illegal wiretaps,³ and he doesn't plan to stop⁴. In his address Al Gore asked, "If the president has the power to eavesdrop on American citizens without a warrant, imprison citizens on his own declaration, kidnap and torture, then what can't he do?"

Both Republicans and Democrats in Congress are outraged. Even the non-partisan Congressional Research Service released a report indicating that the White House program "conflicts with existing law."⁵ Republican Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter said he plans to look at the program closely at hearings in Congress next month. ⁶

The Bush administration is in deep trouble on this—and they know it. As former Republican Congressman Bob Barr recently pointed out, the president had full Constitutional authority to legally spy on terrorists. We need to know why he chose to go around it.⁷

The more pressure we can add, the less Congress and the White House will be able to sweep this problem under the rug. Can you take a moment to sign our petition calling for a special prosecutor now?

http://political.moveon.org/ruleoflaw?id=6686-3396758-w54z1mPSL2Xdd2df_mYciQ&t=4

No one disagrees that our government must be able to track terrorists. But as Sandra Day O'Connor recently wrote, "It is during our most challenging and uncertain moments . . . that we must preserve our commitment at home to the principles for which we fight abroad."⁸

Thanks for all you do,

–Eli, Nita, Wes, Jennifer and the MoveOn.org Political Action Team
Friday, January 20th, 2006