Tag Archives: Patriot-Act

FB-Eye

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What’s next? Another House Un-American Activities Committee? McCarthy-ism, Take
2?

F.B.I.
Scrutinizes Antiwar Rallies
By ERIC LICHTBLAU

“WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 � The Federal Bureau of Investigation has collected extensive
information on the tactics, training and organization of antiwar demonstrators and
has advised local law enforcement officials to report any suspicious activity at
protests to its counterterrorism squads, according to interviews and a confidential
bureau memorandum.”

Congress
Expands FBI Spying Power
By Ryan Singel

“Congress approved a bill on Friday that expands the reach of the Patriot Act,
reduces oversight of the FBI and intelligence agencies and, according to critics,
shifts the balance of power away from the legislature and the courts.”

Oppose
Government Surveillance of Peaceful Protesters

“The ability to speak freely and peacefully protest government policies is
a cherished right, as enshrined in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
A confidential FBI memo leaked to the New York Times confirms however that the federal
government is targeting innocent Americans engaged in nothing more than lawful protest
and dissent.”

“In the memo the FBI advocates spying on peaceful protesters and indicates that protesters
who engage in civil disobedience or other disruptive acts should be treated like
potential terrorists. It confirms that the government has monitored the actions
of peaceful protesters and wants intelligence about protesters to be reported to
the nearest FBI field office or terrorism task force.”

“Peaceful protesters should not be treated as potential terrorists nor spied upon
by federal government agents. Not only is this a misuse of public funds that could
be used to find real terrorists, it chills free speech activities and inhibits the
public debate on important issues.”

Fourth Amendment

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“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

House Takes Aim at Patriot Act Secret Searches
By Andrew Clark

“WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to roll back a key provision, which allows the government to conduct secret “sneak and peek” searches of private property, of a sweeping anti-terrorism law passed soon after the Sept. 11 attacks.”

Civil Liberties

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I don’t always agree with the ACLU, but here are a few causes of theirs I support.

Support Oversight of the Secret FISA Court

"Under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (most commonly known as FISA), a secret intelligence court was created to authorize government wiretaps in foreign intelligence investigations. Since its initial enactment, FISA has been steadily expanded in ways that pose an increasing threat to individual rights."

Speak Out: Flag Amendment Passes House – Thank or Spank Your Representative

"On June 3 the House of Representatives narrowly voted to approve the so-called flag protection amendment. This amendment would alter the First Amendment for the first time in its history and allow Congress to outlaw the physical desecration of the flag."

In regards to the following, I do not morally condone homosexual behavior. However, I do not think there is sufficient reason to make gay marriages illegal. In fact, I think it would be helpful, particularly as it relates to health benefits from employers (see earlier blog entries with specific mention of the University of Pittsburgh’s same-sex benefit woes).

Oppose Writing Intolerance into the U.S. Constitution

"Spurred by Canada’s recent decision to legalize gay marriages, a coalition of right-wing religious groups has launched a campaign to amend the U.S. Constitution to define marriage as strictly between a man and a woman, invalidate all state and local domestic partnership laws and nullify civil rights protections based on marital status. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO) has advanced their goal by introducing H.J. Res 56, the ‘Federal Marriage Amendment.’"

Support Corrections to the PATRIOT Act

"The USA PATRIOT Act and related government actions undercut many important checks and balances on government law enforcement and intelligence powers."

"Under this Act and other Administration actions that were taken without congressional involvement, the government can search your home without notifying you, can get a list of the books you have obtained from your library and your local bookstore and require your local librarian and bookseller to keep this hidden from you, can keep a file on how often you go to church, which churches you attend and the medications you use — even if these activities have nothing to do with the fight against terrorism ."

Support the Freedom to Read!

"With the passage of the USA PATRIOT Act, the FBI gained the power to search your library and book-buying records without probable cause of any crime or intent to commit a crime. Furthermore, librarians and others who are required to turn over records are not allowed to say that the search has occurred or that records were given to the government."