MetaBlog

The Herald Democr...

The Herald Democrat paper has the first of a series of articles in discussion the issues between candidates for TX-4.  Though they spell Glenn Melancon's name wrong through the entire piece (Melanon), it's refreshing to see local papers give equal coverage to candidates this early.

Melanon said the law is the best protection for American freedom.

"The Congress and the president have to follow the law, it’s that simple," Melanon said. “The Constitution provides a system of check and balances so the Congress works with the president and the president works with the Congress. But the Patriot Act and the president’s domestic spying program violate those principles of checks and balances.

"History tells us that freedom has never been protected by breaking the law or casting aside our values. So if we want both security and liberty, Congress and the president have to follow the law.

And Rep. Hall touches on his opinion of the President's power to wiretap.

Hall said that Congress gave the president the power to conduct the type of surveillance he has engaged in after the terrorist strike, Sept. 11, 2001.

Said Hall, "We authorized, by statute because we couldn’t do the Constitution, and these are the words we used, we authorized him ‘to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations or persons he determines planned authorized or committed an attack against the U.S."

For more information: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BurntOrangeReport?m=359