Posted on 12/30/2005 11:53:53 AM PST by Delphinium
Dear Fellow Idahoan:
Over the past week, a lot of attention has been given to the reauthorization of the USA PATRIOT Act, formally known as the "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act." Because it is an important issue, and I have been at the forefront of the debate, I want to take a moment of your time to give you the latest news.
I have been working with members of both parties in the Senate and House of Representatives to address PATRIOT Act provisions that may allow federal investigators to monitor activities of Americans unrelated to terrorism, with minimal or inadequate judicial oversight. Early in the current Congress, I introduced an updated version of my legislation, the Security and Freedom Enhancement Act, or SAFE Act, as S.737. This legislation is designed to protect civil liberties and place reasonable limitations on federal government searches and surveillance, without impeding the war on terrorism. It garnered support from Senators across the political spectrum.
A number of the reforms contained in my bill were incorporated into the Senate version of legislation renewing certain expiring provisions of the PATRIOT Act, which passed unanimously in late July. This Senate version was also approved by nearly half of the House of Representatives.
While the conference committee charged with working out differences between the House and Senate renewal bills did improve some of the civil liberties protections of PATRIOT, it unnecessarily dropped or watered down too many of these reforms. I and other Senate and House members of both parties believe that with additional time, the remaining problems can be addressed. For that reason, I voted against cutting off debate on the compromise and instead worked to get an extension of the PATRIOT provisions due to expire December 31, 2005. With the extension in place and PATRIOT still fully effective for another five weeks, Congress can resume negotiations and pursue whatever additional hearings or discussions are needed to finalize the renewal bill.
It's worth remembering that when PATRIOT was first enacted, the deadlines on these specific provisions were put there for a reason: to force a review by Congress and a determination whether such controversial authorities should be renewed, revised, or repealed. These are not technical or unimportant matters but policy issues that affect the fundamental rights, freedom, and property of innocent Americans, as well as the security of the United States. It is in the best interests of our nation for Congress to consider all options carefully and thoroughly. After all, this law will outlast the Bush Administration.
It is my strong belief that we can limit and clarify the law to eliminate its problems, without impeding law enforcement's ability to conduct legitimate, necessary investigations of terrorism. That is the outcome I will continue fighting for, because we need to protect the freedoms that tens of thousands of Americans have died for.
I hope this information is helpful to you and would welcome your further thoughts on this or any other matter of concern. If I can be of assistance to you in the U.S. Senate, contact me. For more information on this issue, please read my Securing Freedom Issue Brief.
Sincerely,
Larry E. Craig United States Senator
Chidlish grandstanding on a complete NON issue by someone who SHOULD know better.
Me, or Larry Craig?
So how controversial will it be if another few thousand Americans are murdered in our own country while all this bloviating is going on?
You are sooooo right.
Agreed. Craig needs to get his head out of the southern portion of his anatomy. He is still a Prima-donna politician.
"Republicans are supposed to be concerned about the Constiturtion."
Seems to me that the only thing alot of Republicans around here are concerned about is political control.
The Constitution WILL be protected, or there will be Politicians hanging from trees.
The Government should not underestimate the Citizens it serves.
Amen, May your chains be light
It absolutely amazes me how willing you are to toss aside your civil rights. You should do quite well when we have martial law.
There are so many benefits to martial law. Curfews, local and national id check points, restricted travel which will certainly cut down on traffic jams, etc. Elections aren't needed when the military authority takes control of our normal administration of justice.
Of course, you had best start praying and hoping that it doesn't occur under a Democrat controlled Congress and White house.
Don't lose any sleep thinking about the men and women who died fighting for the rights we have today, you'll be secure and that's all that counts in your mind isn't it?
My estimation is that 70% of the FReepers would gladly permit a much stronger Patriot Act as a taste to the up and coming martial law.
That's because like everywhere else, 70% of the Population does not know what it means to sacrifice for the cause of Freedom or the preservation of our Constitution.
Sacrificing freedom is not now, nor ever WILL be, an option. A lesson more people around here better learn fast.
Love your Tagline by the way. Spot on!
http://www.woodrow.org/teachers/esi/2002/CivilLiberties/Projects/Origins.pdf
I'm sure the people in the WTC, the Pentagon and that field in Pennsylvania are thanking you for your concern.
"Republicans are supposed to be concerned about the Constiturtion."
We have a Republican Party today that supports socialism, yet these FReeper "Republicans" are willing to support it.
The Patriot Act and or Martial law reduces some of the personal rights ordinarily granted to the citizen, yet these FReeper "Republicans" are willing to support it.
Eighty percent of Americans want secure border yet our leaders are saying NO, we will not secure Americas borders and these FReeper "Republicans" think everything is hunkey dory!
The ship is damn near capsized and everybody here thinks they are still safe because we have a "Republican" President.
I either need to start drinking more or quit thinking about tomorrow and the future my daughters are going to have under this "new" America.
(No expiration date is on the Oath to protect America from all enemies, foreign and domestic .) (with a double underline)
And I find it interesting that "civil liberties" now means "criminal liberties". No complaining about McCain-Feingold.
Wonder how long it will be before the oath is changed, There is currently no wriggle room and places the Constitution before anything else.
Craig conveniently forgets the 30 or so safeguards the adults in the House put on the renewal legislature. He's a grandstanding, petulant child appealing to all the wrong people for his reelection.
They can change it to mean anything they want.
Won't be the Oath I swore to, nor will I be beholding to some bastardized version of the one I took.
We paid a terrible price for his self centered evil ways.
There is no protection from criminals like X42.
Does that mean that we sacrifice more lives so you'll feel so superior.
My husband took the PATH train to the WTC every single day for years. We spent a lot of time in the WTC and no amount of time will take away the horror of that day. Of hearing the jets patrolling overhead night after night for quite a while after 9/11.
We're searched, scrutinized everywhere in NY. Went to the Metropolitan Museum right after 9/11 and they searched our bags and we had to take our coats off.
Guess you object to that too!
Great!
We already have a list, when do we start?
Just Damn
Living in a free society is very risky, I hate to tell you but no matter what draconian law we pass that infringes on our GOD given rights, those that want to kill us still will do so
I will say that Lincolnism does still exist, anyone who calls for more expansion of governmental power without an adequate checks is a Lincolnite.
What I also find disturbing about this whole debate is the fact that the media has painted it as a contest of protecting civil liberties v. protecting us from terrorism, and the general public has bought the B.S. Personally, I think you can do both, and I'm glad there are some people in our government who think along those lines.
You are also right in your assumption that this country could be headed for dangerous straits. Specifically, I remember reading something on an airplane a few years ago where they did a survey of some high school kids, and they found that something like 35% believed that anything that the newsmedia reports should first be approved by an official government agency. Personally, I think that's kind of dangerous to the whole concept of liberty, but hell, that's just me. As I see it, gun rights are a civil liberty, and if you start going after other civil liberties, eventually you go after them and vice versa.
All in due time, I'm sure.
'The Constitution is just fine under Patriot, it's the angels-on-the-end-of-a-pin overwrought made up "civil liberties" that have been created over the years.'
Yeah, the simple right to move about the country without being ID'd and searched was never really a "civil liberty".
Most Americans who died by 1900 would be astounded and dismayed by our "free country" today.
But it doesn't have to be stupid.
Lots of the Patriot act provisions brought terrorism investigations the same tools that were used on drug investigation and even divorce law. My congressman initially disapproved of the Patriot Act, but after the 30 changes in the Congressional version he is a supporter.
How about we get more knowledgeable so we can make some informed judgements instead of relying on bumper sticker language?
Is it really so unreasonable that the Dept of Justice can ask for a tap on a person instead of a specific cellphone number when I can go to the mall and pick up a phone in twenty minutes?
Was it a major change to have the same wiretap warrant procedures that were in effect for dial up internet connection extended to cable internet?
How about responding to cyber terrorism - that was Richard Clark's specialty. Prior to the Patriot act this could not be investigated.
This was also true of crimes related to the fabrication of weapons of mass destruction. http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/mccarthy200311130835.asp
Let's use our heads, its not an all-or-nothing situation.
No expiration date is on the Oath to protect America from all enemies, foreign and domestic
When President Bush took that oath, he meant it.
Don't lose any sleep thinking about the men and women who died fighting for the rights we have today, you'll be secure and that's all that counts in your mind isn't it?
Are you saying our brave men and women didn't die for the right for us to sleep secure in our homes??
Americans who died by 1900 couldn't travel by commercial airliner anyway, so I don't think they'd find airport security overburdensome.
bttt
"Are you saying our brave men and women didn't die for the right for us to sleep secure in our homes??"
No, I am saying that all of our civil rights and other freedoms are the result of bloddy battles. Start waving the flag and refuse to waive our rights no matter what any politician says because it will take blood to regain them! Governments do not give freedoms to the people, they only take them away.
So, I can presume you have a list of people who suffered under the current Patriot Act abuses? I'm anxious to see that.
As to future abuses, Bill Clinton & Co managed to abuse the office of the presidency without much problem or being held accountable. Mrs. Clinton received hundreds of FBI files, that she's never been held accountable for. But, you want me to be concerned about some future abuse by a Democrat? It seems to me the way to ensure no future abuses is to not elect a Democrat as President, nor to the congress.
Had the Patriot Act been in place and used, along with the Gorelick wall eliminated so intelligence could be shared between agencies, perhaps 3000 people in NYC, the Pentagon and in PA would be alive today.
Your unfounded fears over loss of freedom do not override my right to life, the first responsibility of government.
"As to future abuses, Bill Clinton & Co managed to abuse the office of the presidency without much problem or being held accountable."
Right there is the problem that you have. "Clinton & Co managed to abuse the office of the presidency without much problem or being held accountable."
So, now you think that, of course a Republican President should be able to do the same and more without being held accountable either!
Have you looked at the condition this country is in today compared to 30 years ago, 20 years ago, ten years ago? Have you noticed the continual slide downhill? Have you given any consideration as to why we are going downhill? Have you checked the morality on TV? Have you checked the condition of our refineries or steel mills or schools or immigration system?
Do you know why any of this is happening or do you feel that everything is just fine and our legal system actually is handing out justice these days? Do you think that this PC is the way we should have allowed our culture to go?
Now for the worst questions ...... have you assisted it or tried to prevent it or decided that it's more than one man can do so I'll just sit here on my numb butt until someone else fixes it?
Your fears of loss of life do not override my right to liberty. If there were no cars hundreds of people would be alive today, you can fill in the blank with any item or law you chose on the if it would just save one life.
Go to your phone book and start reading the names one by one out loud. Every person in America has suffered, including you!
Slaves and cowards live under your 'right to life', men who are willing to fight to their death live in FREEDOM.
Which are you? A slave and a coward or a man?
If you reread the constitution, life comes before liberty. Without protecting American lives there can be no liberty.
Take your car and drive it without a drivers license or licence plate. On your own property, no problem. Drive it on the streets, and you will eventually be stopped. What happened to your liberty? Everyone has their liberty restricted no a daily basis one way or another.
Harsh words without addressing what I was saying in a logical, rational or thoughtful manner.
Or, are you trying to start a confrontation? If so, go play with someone else. I don't have time for it.
(They both realize that this kind of law will be dangerous in the hands of someone like Hillary Clinton.)
Does anyone believe that the clinton's haven't already violated the Constitution, privacy laws, and spied on American citizens when they were in power?
IMO, Larry Craig is just using that statement to cover his @ss for political reasons. I don't know if he is up for election or not but I'll bet any Republican (?) with his views..are.
If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.
...[W]e insist on the principle that no danger or crisis, foreign or domestic, will be solved by Americans surrendering more of their constitutional liberties, in the foolish hope that a bigger government will provide greater security.
I agree with everything you wrote.
I still believe the Patriot Act was necessary at the time, and remains so today. I do not see the conflict you see.
http://matthewbracken.web.aplus.net/
I have no problem going after non US citizens with the provisions of the act however agencies have and will use the act to go after non terrorists or any other group that falls on the wrong side of an administration such as pro life groups, gunowners, property rights groups ect
Thanks for the link to the Travis Mcgee site. I appreciate it and will look into the book you suggest.
Not only do I not have a problem with going after US citizens using the Patriot Act, I'd like to see US citizenship revoked for those people who are trying to destroy our country. At minimum, people like John Kerry and others in the US Senate and House should be expelled from office for their anti-Amerian actiities.
I also believe treason against the US needs to be brought back, along with sedition and impeachment the way it was meant to be.
From what I've read, the Patriot Act gives law enforcement the same powers towards suspected terrorists that are used for organized crime today. Works for me.
I do not mind or complain over honest dissent. I do mind when these people threaten our country, our troops and our way of life. Frankly, there are many laws that I believe are destructive to us and our liberty. I'll work on getting those changed first.
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