Real Patriots

Proposed new terrorism act threatens our civil liberties

The Houston Chronicle
March 1, 2003

 


Two years ago Congress acted hastily, too hastily, in passing the USA Patriot Act of 2001. For freedom's sake it must not make the same mistake with the proposed Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003, which some have dubbed Patriot Act II. Real patriots will oppose this attack on our constitutional liberties.

Congress understandably raced to pass the first anti-terror legislation following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, approving it without all the normal congressional reviews. Unquestioned patriotism was in the air. Most Americans believed in the need to do everything possible to fight the terrorist threat.

But to the growing regret of many, the Patriot Act has resulted in an erosion of our civil liberties. It has allowed for greater police powers such as invasive bugging and wire tapping of citizens through the orders of a special, supersecret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. It has resulted in the denial of defendants' rights to challenge certain government evidence at trials. It has reduced the rights of immigrants.

While the Patriot Act has been a terrible blow to the Bill of Rights, Attorney General John Ashcroft and the Justice Department are now asking Congress for even greater dangerous powers.

An 86-page copy of the proposed new bill, leaked to the Center for Public Integrity last month, calls for even broader undercuttings of Americans' constitutional freedoms.

The measure is complicated and admittedly open to interpretation as to its impact on the constitutional freedoms and liberties we take for granted today. Some are afraid it could turn car dealers and travel agents into informants for the federal government.

Just in the area of First Amendment guarantees, critics fear Patriot II would increase the government's surveillance authority to the extent that free speech would be chilled, particularly political dissent. Patriot II would also increase restrictions on access to government documents, generally and through the hard-won Freedom of Information Act. It might also erode the right to free association, critics worry.

Fortunately, since its existence became known, Patriot II has drawn a storm of opposition from literally dozens of groups and organizations concerned about protecting our constitutional rights. There is growing pressure against the measure in its current form.

Kevin M. Goldberg, legal counsel for the American Society of Newspaper Editors, says there is no indication when, or even if, Patriot Act II will be introduced in Congress, or whether a congressional version would be anything like the document that was leaked.

It will be critical to America's future for members of Congress to take their time in examining Patriot II, if it comes their way. Its threat to our civil liberties is too severe to be ignored.


Copyright 2003 The Houston Chronicle Publishing Company

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