To the editor:

In only his eighth press conference since taking office, President Bush said his priorities were “first, the safety of the American people and the economic security of the American people.” His sworn obligation is to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Either he did not understand the presidential oath when he repeated it or he does not care to uphold it.

He has misstated his constitutional duty ad nauseam. The protection he guarantees comes at the price of undermining the Constitution, as is evident with the passage of the Patriot Act and other laws that have been rammed through Congress under this guise of “protection.” The Founders were smart enough and respectful enough for liberty to know the difference between a government that provides “protection” for the people and one that protects freedoms for the people.

John Culbertson,

Lawrence