I urge you request that the Department of
Justice appoint a special counsel to investigate any and all criminal
acts committed by any member of the executive branch who may have been
involved in the authorisation of warrentless electronic surveillance
of people within the United States, including US citizens, by the
National Security Agency (NSA).

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) was passed by
Congress in response to revelations that Richard Nixon was using
"national security" claims to spy on his enemies.  The law
specifically prohibits this abuse of executive power.  Under FISA,
federal agents are required to obtain court approval in order to
monitor the communications of any person in the United States.  FISA
does permit the surveillance of people in the United States, but only
with a court order or on a temporary, emergency basis while a court
order is being sought.  To engage in domestic spying under other
circumstances is a violation of federal law punishable "by a fine
of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than five years,
or both."

Thus, when President Bush authorised, and then repeatedly
reauthorised, the NSA to conduct electronic surveillance on people on
US soil -- whether their calls or email were from or to family,
friends or business colleagues abroad -- without a warrant, he
violated both the letter and the spirit of FISA.

Because of Attorney General Gonzales' involvement in the
authorisation of this wiretapping program, a special counsel is
necessary to ensure that a thorough and impartial investigation is
conducted into the matter.  In the event that the investigation finds
that criminal acts were committed by members of the executive branch,
those responsible must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

No one is above the law, not even the President.  Our system of
checks and balances must remain intact if our democracy is to survive.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this important matter.