The administration is claiming extraordinary presidential powers at the expense of civil liberties and is putting the president above the law.

This administration, like that of President Nixon, has apparently secretly adopted a legal view of the executive branch's power that is unbounded.

We're concerned because it's part of a general trend in this administration. Far as we know, it's possible that they are like many other Americans - being spied on.

Our government is based upon a separation of powers and a system of checks and balances. The actions taken by the president undermine the very foundations of our country. We urge the relevant Congressional committees to investigate how the president abused his power as our chief executive. We applaud Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter for committing to hold oversight hearings. The American people deserve to know the truth.

The president cannot use the pursuit of national security as a carte blanche to undermine the very freedoms that define America. This administration - like that of President Nixon - has apparently secretly adopted a legal view of the Executive Branch's power that is unbounded. A commitment to the Constitution and our laws demand an independent investigation.

This was the week that the administration discovered the tide wouldn't come in forever on presidential powers. Partly, that is because so much time has passed without a new attack. And partly, it is because there were so many missteps.