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President Authorized Spying? I Say Go For It

David F. Brown

Des Moines Register

January 2, 2006

[Note: This material is copyright by the Des Moines Register, and is reproduced here as a matter of "fair use" for non-commercial, educational purposes only. Any other use may require the prior approval of the Des Moines Register.]

It seems to me that some people cannot see the importance of continuing our fight on terror unless we have Americans lying in the street or in a mass of crumpled buildings. But they will be the first to scream, "Where was the government?" when — not if, but when — it happens again.

People either forget or do not care that the attacks of 9/11 were not launched from England, Iraq or even Cuba. Those planes took off from right here in this country. The people who flew them did not just get on a plane that they planned to highjack and kill thousands of people on an overnight whim.

As far as the president authorizing wire taps to monitor this type of suspected activity, I say go for it. If it protects my family, my friends and my country, then that is what the government is supposed to do. Some people are crying about this being a violation of their rights.

I have always believed that if you are not violating the law, then you have no reason to fear the law. Maybe those people are doing something they should not be — like leaking sensitive information that can be used against us by our enemies.

Sometimes we forget that some of the laws that govern us and are supposed to protect us were written in a different time. Since then morals and values have changed. Why should we adhere to the Geneva Conventions when our enemies do not? Do I support or advocate torture? No. But I do believe you have to have intelligence to get ahead of your enemy's game, and if scaring them or tricking them is what it takes, then so be it.

I would like to see a copy of the terrorists' rulebook and then compare theirs to ours. I just bet ours is more humane.

I don't care if the president of the United States is a Republican or a Democrat. The point is that he or she is the leader of this nation and that person has taken an oath to protect me and the rest of this country.

David F. Brown
Des Moines