Days before the second anniversary of the signing of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Senate Judiciary Committee held the first of a series of hearings to examine federal anti-terrorism laws. The ACLU is calling upon Congress to ensure that the powers granted to law enforcement are being used properly and to examine their necessity.

There has been growing momentum on Capitol Hill to restore the civil liberties lost through legislation post 9/11. Currently, there are several bi-partisan measures pending in both chambers of Congress that seek to rollback parts of the controversial USA PATRIOT Act.

A new bill recently introduced by Senators Larry Craig (R-ID) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) is a major step forward in the fight to restore checks on federal domestic spying powers. The bill -- known as the SAFE Act of 2003 -- would narrow several controversial sections of the USA PATRIOT Act and is garnering bipartisan support.

This bill would permanently narrow the "sneak and peek" provision in the Patriot Act, which allows federal agents to search Americans' homes without notifying them for an indeterminate period.

It also addresses Section 215 of the bill, which allows the FBI to obtain Americans' medical, business, library and even genetic records without probable cause. Specifically, it would require government investigators to show that the individual under suspicion has some connection to a foreign government or organization.

This bill is being introduced at a time when nearly 200 communities have passed pro-civil liberties, anti-PATRIOT Act resolutions and several months after Representative C.L. Otter (R-ID) saw his amendment defunding sneak and peek searches in the PATRIOT Act pass by an overwhelming majority in the House.

"This isn't an abstract, academic debate -- it's about how our Constitution and Bill of Rights provide ground rules for every American to enjoy freedom and safety in equal measure," said Laura W. Murphy, Director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office.

The ACLU is part of a coalition of organizations that are calling for passage of the SAFE Act of 2003.



Read more about the bill and to read a letter the coalition has written urging more Senators to support the Craig-Durbin bill.

I wish I had more money so I could donate it to the ACLU. They are one of my most respected organizations and even fought against the rave act with us.

I was getting tired of all those doom and gloom threads about the US anyways hehe.

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I'm tight on cash but I still managed to scrounge up $10 - sent it to them a few weeks ago.

It's almost like those guys are our only line of defense against big brother. Noone else seems to do much of anything to protect us from Civil Rights vilolations, etc.

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Originally posted by Trancer-X I'm tight on cash but I still managed to scrounge up $10 - sent it to them a few weeks ago. It's almost like those guys are our only line of defense against big brother. Noone else seems to do much of anything to protect us from Civil Rights vilolations, etc.

I agree they are almost our only allies. Well I could send 10 bux hehe. Where do I send it?

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Originally posted by DaveSaenz I agree they are almost our only allies. Well I could send 10 bux hehe. Where do I send it?

Sign up to become a member. It only costs $20 ... I got my card

www.aclu.com

Although I don't agree with EVERY stance the aclu has, I most certainly agree with the majority.

For example, I've long had a problem with the ACLU's stance on the right to bear arms. Although I would personally like more restrictions placed on guns, I think that the ACLU as an institution for civil liberties, should fight for that right as much as it fights for abortion rights, etc.

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Retro ...

Last edited by occrider on Oct-24-2003 at 14:06

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Originally posted by occrider Sign up to become a member. It only costs $20 ... I got my card www.aclu.com Although I don't agree with EVERY stance the aclu has, I most certainly agree with the majority. For example, I've long had a problem with the ACLU's stance on the right to bear arms. Although I would personally like more restrictions placed on guns, I think that the ACLU as an institution for civil liberties, should fight for that right as much as it fights for abortion rights, etc.

That topic and their insistence for standing up to internet pedophilia. I cannot and will not ever understand their stance on that matter.

Aside of that, I think they have a good place in our society.

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and stick pickles in my honker...

quote:

Originally posted by occrider Sign up to become a member. It only costs $20 ... I got my card www.aclu.com Although I don't agree with EVERY stance the aclu has, I most certainly agree with the majority. For example, I've long had a problem with the ACLU's stance on the right to bear arms. Although I would personally like more restrictions placed on guns, I think that the ACLU as an institution for civil liberties, should fight for that right as much as it fights for abortion rights, etc.

But you're Dick Cheney. How can you possibly be a member of the ACLU?


MrS

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-"Reality" is the only word in the language that should always be used in quotes.

2 years of discussion yet very few seem to care?

Here's a 2 year old article:
http://villagevoice.com/issues/0138/hentoff.php

Be a REAL Patriot and show some support for our civil liberties:
http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/Saf...?ID=13292&c=206

quote:

Originally posted by occrider Sign up to become a member. It only costs $20 ... I got my card www.aclu.com Although I don't agree with EVERY stance the aclu has, I most certainly agree with the majority. For example, I've long had a problem with the ACLU's stance on the right to bear arms. Although I would personally like more restrictions placed on guns, I think that the ACLU as an institution for civil liberties, should fight for that right as much as it fights for abortion rights, etc.

I used to donate to the aclu regularly but I no longer due as they defend people with child porn, and regardless of the princibles involved its just not cool.

is it just me or does the Patriot Act seem too similar to the Reichstag Fire Decree?

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"Learn, child, to catch a hint through whatever agency it may be given. 'Sermons may be preached through stones." - Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Letters from the Masters of Wisdom, first series, p. 74, letter 31

I found this to be a good read, it also pointed out the Echelon project, "a massive technology surveillance project that snoops through the globe's electronic communications with little or no accountability (NO congressional oversight), giving the government much of the electronic monitoring capabilities they claim they didn't already have." ...thats somethhing I didnt know about

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Originally posted by rizen I found this to be a good read, it also pointed out the Echelon project, "a massive technology surveillance project that snoops through the globe's electronic communications with little or no accountability (NO congressional oversight), giving the government much of the electronic monitoring capabilities they claim they didn't already have." ...thats somethhing I didnt know about

Good article!