Bush claims powers to open U.S. mail without a warrant!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16472777/

President Bush has claimed sweeping powers to open Americans mail without a judge's warrent, the New York Daily News has learned.

The president asserted his new authority when he signed a postal reform bill into law Dec. 20. Bush then issued a "signing statement" that declared his right to open peoples mail under emergency conditions.

That claim is contrary to existing law and contradicted the bill he had just signed, experts who have reviwed it say.

Critics point out that the administration could quickly get a warrant from a criminal court or a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court judge to search targeted mail, and the Postal Service could block delivery in the meantime.

Anybody out there want to try and defend the President for making the statement that "he has the power to order a warrantless search of your mail"?

RG.