Speedy delivery to the feds

National ACLU has announced that it is filing a Freedom of Information Act request to learn more about President Bush's signing statement regarding the opening of Americans' mail without a warrant.

It is worth noting that the Postal Inspector can open mail without a warrant if there is reason to believe that it contains dangerous material, like a bomb.

(ACLU Executive Director Anthony) Romero said the Bush signing statement does not specify whether there are special circumstances beyond those already established in the law that would allow him to open mail without a warrant and if so, what they may be. For example, the ACLU questioned whether the "exigent circumstances" would include the singling out of mail addressed to or from people on government watch lists, which are notoriously flawed. Such deliberate ambiguity, Romero said, "raises a red flag because of President Bush's history of asserting broad powers to spy on Americans."

Stay tuned. The hits just keep on comin'.

Andy in H-burg