This week, the Senate is planning on holding a vote which will allow immunity for any official that has violated federal law by authorizing these activities.

No one in their right mind supports the action of terrorists or those that would enact or contribute to the slaughter of innocent lives to further or promote their own agendas. But this clearly is not that. This measure specifically addresses the thousands of Americans that have had their own rights violated through the act of unauthorized wiretapping, law-abiding citizens like you and I with no ties to terrorism whatsoever.

Oh yes. The White House has admitted to spying on innocent persons. Let that sink in. Our government has admitted to spying on innocent people. And further, they want to enact more bills in order to continue to do so.

Is it just me? Am I the only soul left that thinks this is a gross injustice to the very liberties that our country was founded on, and that our fathers and sons have died defending? Do we now make all of that in vain?

Don't take my word for it. Run a web search on Senate Bill S.2453 ("National Security Surveillance Act") or "Cheney Specter Bill" and take in the results.

Just be sure you're sitting down.

A few facts: President Bush and the Government of the United States already possess the authority to wiretap any and all suspected terrorists, and that is absolutely acceptable. The understanding being that the courts must approve it based on a preponderance of evidence - not before the wiretapping - but at some point shortly thereafter. The bill that is being proposed, the Cheney-Specter Bill, Senate Bill S.2453, fairly gives the government full authority to do as they choose and retroactively provides immunity for anyone who has already acted outside of the law to that regard.

American citizens, I ask you: What is happening in today's society that we would simply for the first time in history, allow such unmitigated tapping? Have we forgotten the lessons of Nixon and Watergate?

In today's environment, that wouldn't even make a quip on CNN.

We must urge Congress to hold Bush and any other civil servant accountable for their acts. I ask you to sign a petition today doing that very thing. You won't have to budge an inch (well, maybe your click finger) and it won't take you two minutes.

Please. Do it now. While we still possess the freedom to object.

Petition to the Senate