You've Got (Bush-Viewed) Mail

America 2.0, bitchez:

President Bush has quietly claimed sweeping new powers to open Americans' mail without a judge's warrant, the Daily News has learned.

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

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

And in a familiar retread of the warrantless eavesdropping bullshit, there already exists on the books a provision that rendered this move unnecessary, aside from its conferral of even greater power upon the executive branch:

Critics point out 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.

But the Bush White House appears to be taking no chances on a judge saying no while a terror attack is looming, national security experts agreed.

Why even bother with a Constitution, when entire thing can be rendered moot at the president's whim, using the mere threat of a bomb in a mall in Podunkville to justify his decision?

(Thanks to Angelos and Oddjob for the heads-up.)