With all due respect Big D, who could possibly fully understand the Patriot Act from a layman's plain reading of it in isolation to existing code, case law, constitutional law, administrative law and its legislative history and notes and whatnot?
I offered the ACLU link not as fact or even my opinion. It was introduced as a watch dog's view on the matter for someone who might be interested in the criticisms of the bill, and I guess the proposed bill II. Conservatives love to deride the ACLU, unless of course they are protecting conservatives (which they do all the time!).
As far as the patriot act goes, I say we listen to a few conservatives on the matter:
Harry Schneider, Legislative Chairman, Pennsylvania Sportsman's Association. ("Administration policies prompt some gun owners to recoil," Associated Press, 4/14/04)
"Most gun owners are not very enthusiastic and they’re very apprehensive about aspects of the Patriot Act, specifically about search-and-seizure rules. They’re just not going to dig into their wallets or devote their time to help Bush."
Kevin Starrett, Executive Director, Oregon Firearms Federation ("Gun Groups May Not Be Bush Campaign Weapon," Los Angeles Times, 4/13/04)
"Had the Clinton administration proposed the Patriot Act, which is a real scary thing for gun owners, the Republican-controlled Congress would have been apoplectic."
Bob Barr, former Republican member of Congress (“Patriot Act divides Bush loyalists,” Washington Times, 4/5/2005)
“The Fourth Amendment is a nuisance to the administration, but the amendment protects citizens and legal immigrants from the government's monitoring them whenever it wants, without good cause -- and if that happens, it’s the end of personal liberty.”
“I don’t care if there were no examples so far. We can’t say we'll let government have these unconstitutional powers in the Patriot Act because they will never use them. Besides, who knows how many times the government has used them? They’re secret searches.”
Rep. Chris Chocola (R-IN-2) (“Bush gets ‘high marks’,” South Bend Tribune, 1/21/2004)
[Chocola held back an immediate endorsement of the president's call for renewal of the Patriot Act when it expires next year]
“That's a debate we’ve got to have.”
Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Chair of the House Judiciary Committee (“Inside Politics,” Washington Times, 1/23/2004)
Mr. Sensenbrenner, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, said “over my dead body” will the act be reauthorized without undergoing thorough re-examination in hearings held by the House.
Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the House ("The Policies of War: Refocus the mission," San Francisco Chronicle, 11/11/03)
"We must ensure that the legal tools provided are not abused, and indeed, that they do not undermine the very foundation our country was built upon."
"I strongly believe the Patriot Act was not created to be used in crimes unrelated to terrorism."
"Recent reports, including one from the General Accounting Office, however indicate that the Patriot Act has been employed in investigations unconnected to terrorism or national security.
In our battle against those that detest our free and prosperous society, we cannot sacrifice any of the pillars our nation stands upon, namely respect for the Constitution and the rule of law. Our enemies in the war against terrorism abuse the Islamic law known as the Sharia that they claim to value. It is perversely used as justification for their horrific and wanton acts of violence.
We must demonstrate to the world that America is the best example of what a solid Constitution with properly enforced laws can bring to those who desire freedom and safety. If we become hypocrites about our own legal system, how can we sell it abroad or question legal systems different than our own?
I strongly believe Congress must act now to rein in the Patriot Act, limit its use to national security concerns and prevent it from developing "mission creep" into areas outside of national security.
This war against terrorism requires Americans and American institutions to have the "courage to be safe," this courage must include keeping to the American principles that have made this country great for more than 200 years."
Rep. C.L. "Butch" Otter (R-ID) ("Otter to speak on Patriot Act dissent," Idaho State Journal, 11/9/2003)
"You cannot give up freedom, you cannot give up liberty, and be safe. When your freedom is lost, it makes no difference who took it away from you. (The terrorists) have won. What did they want to do? Take away our freedom. They've won in some cases."
Senator Larry Craig (R-ID), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee (“Senators join forces to roll back parts of Patriot Act,” Washington Times, 10/16/03)
[On the introduction of the Security and Freedom Ensured (SAFE) Act]
“This has nothing to do with the current administration; it's about putting into effect the right law.”
“It's time we adjusted this law to assure civil liberties are not being trampled.”
David Keene, Chairman of the American Conservative Union (“Civil liberties advocates laud Sununu for stand on Patriot Act reform,” Manchester Union Leader, 10/16/2003)
“These are people who are now taking a look at it and saying much of this is a good law, but let’s make sure we didn’t go too far. While the government should have all the power it needs to protect us, it shouldn’t have all the power it’d like to have.”
There are more at
http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/SafeandFree.cfm?ID=12632&c=206
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Cheers my brothers and sisters.
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