By Lee Harley || Our Constitution has been called a “living document.” It was drafted in such a way as to change and grow as our country grew. Its purpose was to establish a government for the people by the people. One of the main principles behind our Constitution was to limit the federal government through checks and balances. These checks and balances would establish our three branches of government and would also keep any one branch from becoming two powerful.
Do we as a society now need a piece of parchment to protect our rights? Or should we just trust the government to provide us with the freedoms and rights we need?
The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides one of these protections.
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized,” it reads.
Nowhere does it state “except for national security purposes.”
Our government has chosen to look the other way when it comes to the violation of this amendment. The executive branch ordered the National Security Agency/ Central Intelligence Agency to spy on Americans. The legislative branch knew about the spying and chose to let it happen as the U.S. chief justice appoints the members of the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC).
All involved here have taken an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the Unites States – yet they are ignoring it.
It would be one thing if this surveillance network were set up to spy on foreigners and foreign governments – like the name implies. But it isn’t. It is spying on us.
I don’t believe my government when its leaders say they are just collecting data. They are collecting data alright – and that data will be used against you. If Amazon.com can tell what I am going to buy next just by my purchases and my browsing history, what do you think the $2 billion Utah Data Center will be able to do with all your internet history, instant chat, Facebook, cell phone calls, text messages, credit card and bank transactions?
They will be able tell where you are, where you have been and where you are going. This goes way beyond spying: It is pure socialism.
I am not willing to surrender my constitutional rights as an American for national security – or to be safer. To quote Thomas Jefferson “the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” I am not willing to give up on my country or my Constitution. I do not believe our Constitution is dead just yet, but she is on life support and it is up to us Americans to save her.
Lee Harley is a native of Lexington, S.C. A twenty-year veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, he is currently stationed in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
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62 comments
Lee,I am embarrassed for you.I have career-military friends(we just did a 3-way),and THEY are embarrassed for you…
I agree; I have a host of family military leaders. I surmise it’s stress disorder. Get this soldier home. Afghanistan is no place to write letter and not be vigilant.
DoD Directive might have been something to consider: . . . As military
members, we retain our rights to register, vote, and express personal
opinions on political candidates and issues. The key is to refrain from
doing so as a representative of the Armed Forces. We need to be careful
when expressing those views, especially during duty hours and more
especially if we hold key positions of leadership to avoid the
appearance of undue influence . . .”
So you bash an honorable solidier, in favor of a person so filthy, he describes his nasty sexual activity on a public forum…
You might better take an inventory of your influences, and your hatred and Bigotry…You’re kinda sad…and lost, it seems…
PS: Like it or not, ALL citizens, even soldiers, have the right to free speech, no matter what Obama is feeding his minions…
I disagreed with the soldier. Isn’t that America? Yet you resort to name calling and spewing something. But that’s what FitsNews is – unfair and imbalanaced.
Most of you are really just reacting to me characterizing you accurately….
I agree, he has to follow orders just like the Nazi soldiers did. If there’s a Nuremberg down the road, he’s screwed.
You may wish to know a little more about U.S. military.
“avoid the appearance of undue influence”
And what influence would they be avoiding? The influence of their own morality and conscience?
The influence surrounding the fact they took an oath to uphold the Constitution and now may be forced to do this in violation of that oath?
In fact, why is the recent solider suicide, where his “farewell” letter says the same, being ignored?
http://gawker.com/i-am-sorry-that-it-has-come-to-this-a-soldiers-last-534538357?utm_campaign=socialflow_gawker_twitter&utm_source=gawker_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
Maybe because soldier suicide it at an all time high? Or does our glorious gov’t not give a shit?
Thank you for bringing up the point about soldier suicides being at an all time high. The best way to support our troops is to not send them off to ridiculous wars that are based on lies and make no sense.
Absolutely. It’s general consensus that our troops have been sent to ridiculous wars. Leave it to some now, they want war in Syria with no understanding of the Middle East at all.
I thought yall are claiming the GOP has intimidated yall from interacting in your orgies?…Or, are all of you, and Obama, a bunch of LIARS..just trying to get EXTRA rights that legally make sexual practices a Civil Right…that no one else gets????
Lee,I am embarrassed for you.I have career-military friends(we just did a 3-way),and THEY are embarrassed for you…
I agree; I have a host of family military leaders. I surmise it’s stress disorder. Get this soldier home. Afghanistan is no place to write letter and not be vigilant.
DoD Directive might have been something to consider: . . . As military
members, we retain our rights to register, vote, and express personal
opinions on political candidates and issues. The key is to refrain from
doing so as a representative of the Armed Forces. We need to be careful
when expressing those views, especially during duty hours and more
especially if we hold key positions of leadership to avoid the
appearance of undue influence . . .”
I agree, he has to follow orders just like the Nazi soldiers did. If there’s a Nuremberg down the road, he’s screwed.
You may wish to know a little more about U.S. military.
“avoid the appearance of undue influence”
And what influence would they be avoiding? The influence of their own morality and conscience?
The influence surrounding the fact they took an oath to uphold the Constitution and now may be forced to do this in violation of that oath?
In fact, why is the recent solider suicide, where his “farewell” letter says the same, being ignored?
http://gawker.com/i-am-sorry-that-it-has-come-to-this-a-soldiers-last-534538357?utm_campaign=socialflow_gawker_twitter&utm_source=gawker_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
Maybe because soldier suicide it at an all time high? Or does our glorious gov’t not give a shit?
Thank you for bringing up the point about soldier suicides being at an all time high. The best way to support our troops is to not send them off to ridiculous wars that are based on lies and make no sense.
Absolutely. It’s general consensus that our troops have been sent to ridiculous wars. Leave it to some now, they want war in Syria with no understanding of the Middle East at all.
” ….and particularly describing the place to be searched,…”
And if the “placed to be searched” is the Internet, then what? The Internet extends around the world.
If you are driving around talking on your cell phone, it there a “place” that can be particularly described?
The internet is merely a conduit, no different than a phone line or in a more basic sense the US mail service. So by your logic, all mail should be opened and read prior to it arriving at its intended destination?
” ….and particularly describing the place to be searched,…”
And if the “placed to be searched” is the Internet, then what? The Internet extends around the world.
If you are driving around talking on your cell phone, it there a “place” that can be particularly described?
The internet is merely a conduit, no different than a phone line or in a more basic sense the US mail service. So by your logic, all mail should be opened and read prior to it arriving at its intended destination?
I’m glad to see an aggressive Congress, fighting back for the People. And let’s just hope we turn the trend in the 2014 elections…and NEVER make such a sad mistake again…
But when you RE-elect a man who tells his drones to vote to exact ‘REVENGE’ on Americans who DID (and do) Build it…
This is what you get. If you WARNED against Obama, you are in the offended minority of voters (provided the win was not cheated)…You are suffering unfairly…
If you were complacent or even worse, DUPED, you deserve this lawless monster you’ve selected to worship…
Like I’ve told you before, Congress passed the laws that let this happen, so it is just as complicit. And yeah, that includes the GOP members. If you can’t see that, you are too blinded by ideology to even have a reasonable conversation with.
Reasonable Surveillance to stop Muslim Terrorists is accepted by the people. Using the strong arm of government bullies to intimidate innocent Americans is ALL OBAMA, ALL-Democrat and ALL Liberal..
You’re just too F*#k!n Stupid- or is it Corrupt- to know it and/or admit it….
PS: Yall HATED Bush, wanted him dead, when he was president…why is it Obama, your god and savior, is said to be following in lockstep copying of the hated Bush, every time your Stooge president gets caught spying on, or using info to discriminate Americans for leftwing political purposes????
If you hated Bush, why do you worship Obama for allegedly doing the SAME thing you loathed Bush for allegedly doing???
No T. There is no such thing as reasonable surveillance of a citizen of this country that is acting lawfully.
Then you need to stay in your house all the time, in fear of any other humna being seeing you…because you are surveiled, whether you know it, or like it, or not…It’s called living…
It’s idealistic ignorance like yours, that allows the left to pervert reason, and F*@k you Liberal-Tarians up the @$$…They tell you fantasy is possible, only to laugh their @$$#$ off at you, when you buy into it..and they slap the P!$$ out of your stupid @$$ with their corruption…
They promise it all…then steal you blind, because you are not smart enough to know rationality when it visits you…
“Then you need to stay in your house all the time, in fear of any other humna being seeing you…because you are surveiled, whether you know it, or like it, or not…It’s called living…”
You stupid son of a bitch. It’s more about what you’re doing in your home they’re more worried about.
Spying on me in my house is not reasonable…Dumb@$$…
But you voted Obama in…so YOU are to blame…or if you are a Liberal-Tarian, you equate good leadership, that defends our country, the same as Obama’s Gestapo…so it’s your F*#king Ignorance, that allows the leftwing radicals to get away with it…
Either way: You need to get your head out your @$$…
Fact is, dipshit, if the GOP had a candidate worth voing for instead of the insane clown possé, I just might cast a fucking ballot for one. Get their heads out of women’s vaginas, stop purposing abstinence only sex ed and religious bs on the rest of us, you might start having some appeal.
So you like a Killer (leftwing-democrat Gosnell) who slaughters live babies, after they are born…
I wish just once, some of you BRUTAL ABORTION pieces of S#!* could feel the horror you champion for the poor infants your filthy Murderers mutilate.,….
I’ll say this: You just better stay the F*#K away from my children…because your sissy little coffee house theories will earn the sh!* kicked out of your effeminate @$$, if you get around me w/ spouting your elitist disregard for human life…
Talkin it up among like-minded leftwing, caffeined-up, liberal-tarian punks is one thing. Getting around a father, and playin’ that $#!* is something all-together different…
WTF is wrong with you? I guess you proved what’s wrong with the GOP.
My effeminate ass? Should be, since I’m fucking female. Drop a pair…how’s that you sexist pig?
You left out bigot…
“Spying on me in my house is not reasonable…Dumb@$$…”
Don’t know, BigT…you seem like the type who makes pipe bombs in the basement…oh, fuck me, where would find enough time after being a dumbass on Fits all day and night?
Lighten up Francis.
Mr. Scott was a great man. This Gentle Man embodies that spirit well. My thanks for the writers, and the writers family’s, service. My apologies that your efforts give morons the right to free speech.
I thought his last name was Soyer.
Well, I certainly could be mistaken. I thought the reference was to Francis Marion Scott
Sgt. Hulka told PFC Francis “Psycho” Soyer to “Lighten up Francis” in the Bill Murray classic “Stripes”.
Wasn’t my favorite movie of his. I kinda gave up after CaddyShak (shack?)
Lighten up Francis.
Mr. Scott was a great man. This Gentle Man embodies that spirit well. My thanks for the writers, and the writers family’s, service. My apologies that the writers efforts give morons the right to free speech.
I thought his last name was Soyer.
Well, I certainly could be mistaken. I thought the reference was to Francis Marion Scott
Sgt. Hulka told PFC Francis “Psycho” Soyer to “Lighten up Francis” in the Bill Murray classic “Stripes”.
Wasn’t my favorite movie of his. I kinda gave up after CaddyShak (shack?)
We need to get Lee home. He’s just a little ill-informed and as usual GrandTango is grandstanding. That’s fair and balanced.
A must read: osborneink.com/2013/06/snowden-flakes-russian-and-chinese-spies-are-smarter-than-glenn-greenwald.htm
I would say that Lee is more informed than you. You need to try reading a history book or even a basic law book.
Lee needs to be vigilant, concentrate on his duty and high-risk for his safety, and leave the politics to others. He’s in a very dangerous place; we wouldn’t want him to be history.
We need to get Lee home. He’s just a little ill-informed and as usual GrandTango is grandstanding. That’s fair and balanced.
A must read: osborneink.com/2013/06/snowden-flakes-russian-and-chinese-spies-are-smarter-than-glenn-greenwald.htm
I would say that Lee is more informed than you. You need to try reading a history book or even a basic law book.
Lee needs to be vigilant, concentrate on his duty and high-risk for his safety, and leave the politics to others. He’s in a very dangerous place; we wouldn’t want him to be history.
most of what I hear about in reference to the growth of govt power is focused on the expansion of federal power to the detriment of states. Far more troubling and prevalent however is the continued, slow, steady dismantling of the bill of rights (individual rights) and expansion of general police power (growing state and federal police power over individuals in the form of exceptions to constitutional limitations on police power or outright limitations on individual rights laid out in the US and state constitutions).
most of what I hear about in reference to the growth of govt power is focused on the expansion of federal power to the detriment of states. Far more troubling and prevalent however is the continued, slow, steady dismantling of the bill of rights (individual rights) and expansion of general police power (growing state and federal police power over individuals in the form of exceptions to constitutional limitations on police power or outright limitations on individual rights laid out in the US and state constitutions).