Patriot Act @ MindSay

The Senate Judiciary Committee is re-examining the PATRIOT ACT as I write this, mainly based on the frightening recent revelations of flagrant misuse of government power, especially by the FBI.

 

John Mueller, Director of the FBI, testified before the Committee today, Tuesday, March 27^th, and said that his agency had not properly implemented the powers granted to it under the PATRIOT ACT but those errors were being corrected. He urged that the PATRIOT ACT be left intact.

 

Arlen Specter, (R-PA), told Mueller, “I'm not impressed with your assertion that there are thousands of facts," Specter said. "That's your job. You asked for these powers; we gave you them. If these applications are wrong, you're subjecting people to an invasion of privacy that ought not to be issued."

 

Judiciary Committee Chair Patrick Leahy (D-VT) said, in his opening statement, “Last year the administration sought new powers in the Patriot Act to appoint U.S. Attorneys without Senate confirmation and to more freely use National Security Letters. The administration got these powers, and they have badly bungled both."

Do you know the major points embodied in the PATRIOT ACT (which, by the way, ought to be the poster child for Truth-In-Advertising reform!)?

The essence of the PATRIOT ACT:

a) Gives the government the power to strip Americans of their citizenship for participating in lawful activities of groups labeled "terrorist" by the Attorney General – currently our pal Alberto Gonzales. That alone is really scary!

b) Makes it legal for the government not to disclose the identity of people being detained in connection with a terrorist investigation - even American citizens - until criminal charges are filed. As we have seen in the case of Guantanamo, this could be years. So, an American citizen thus detained without charges could "disappear."

c) Repeals the current limitations affecting the behavior of local police who spy on religious and political activists and groups

d) Enables the government to obtain credit card and library records of individuals - without a warrant

e) Allows wiretaps without a court order to up to 15 days after anything the government designates as a terror attack

f) Restricts the public release of information about health and safety hazards of chemical and other types of plants and factories

g) Expands the definition of "terrorism" to include people engaged in civil disobedience (they might lose their citizenship), and groups sponsoring such could be wiretapped

h) Allows the wiretapping, search and extradition of Americans on orders from foreign nations, regardless of what treaties may exist that outlaw these actions

i) Abolishes the right of lawful immigrants to a fair deportation hearing, along with barring Federal Courts from reviewing immigration rulings

j) Establishes a DNA data base of "suspected terrorists" - with a definition of such so broad that it could include anyone in any way associated with such groups

 

k) Allows domestic espionage to be carried out against American citizens unknowingly and without judicial oversight.

So - depending on the whims of this most untrustworthy administration - any group of people opposed to any given government action, any person who chooses to engage in peaceful civil disobedience, legal immigrants whose only crime may be their descent from the wrong religious or ethnic group, and a host of others - are very vulnerable!

 

We must get in touch with our legislators! They are examining the construction of this nefarious government tool and will be possibly limiting or dismantling it. Please contact everyone who represents you in Washington DC and tell them in no uncertain terms that the PATRIOT ACT is unacceptable as well as unnecessary.

And while you're at it - tell them that the PATRIOT ACT is unconstitutional all by itself! Tell them that you fear we are sliding into fascism - that the Bush administration’s emphasis on militarism, big business, scapegoating liberals on the basis of exercising their rights to disagree and those of Middle Eastern descent on the basis of heritage is wrong.

Then – talk to everyone you know. Explain how we are becoming a secret police state. Ask them if it's right that someone who expresses an opinion that doesn't follow the "party" line should be targeted for investigation and possibly worse. Show them what is contained in the language of the PATRIOT ACT.

Become a disciple for the preservation of the freedoms we so dearly cherish and have enjoyed throughout our lives here in America.

© 2007 RC deWinter

 

Did you happen to catch one of the weekend anti-Iraq war protests? I didn't either, being too busy with work, following the NCAA tournament and law school (in that exact order). I happened to spot an afternoon rally at a local suburban intersection, one among many that occurred in New York, Washington, San Francisco and in front of the Federal Building in West LA. It looked like there were between 50 and 100 people there. It was peaceful despite the presence of two Sheriff's cars. The protestors and officers were actually huddled together conversing about I don't know what, but I'm going to guess it wasn't about Iraq.

 

Seriously what's their point? Three years ago I could see why tens of thousands voiced their opposition to the war against Saddam Hussein in a vain hope of preventing it but now? What do they honestly think they are going to accomplish? Or hope to accomplish?? Has the anti-war movement in this country been reduced to simple platitudes like "Bush lied, troops died" in a juvenile attempt to come off as intelligent and witty when in fact most protestors then and now are small-minded souls who know little to nothing about history.

 

Bush didn't lie about weapons of mass destruction or the gathering threat that was Saddam Hussein, he spun the best American and British intelligence available at the time in his favor and made a judgment call. That's what Presidents do. Troops did die, but they were in harms way before the invasion and being shot at by Saddam patrolling the no-fly zones over Iraq reached as part of the 1991 Gulf war ceasefire. Saddam never stopped fighting that war against us. It was long time we started fighting back. You never here facts like these by protestors and in the anti-war movement. Nor will you hear anything regarding the scandal that was the UN sanctioned oil-for-food program that allowed Saddam to sell his oil not to purchase food and humanitarian aid for the Iraqi people but so he could restart his weapons programs. The truth doesn't lend itself to simple slogans and stupid protest chants which is why intelligent people, even intelligent war opponents figured out something better to do this past weekend.

 

I remember when I was at UCSB and a group of students went up to Seattle for the massive protest against the then WTO meeting. Many were arrested and it got a lot of attention in the media but did little more than embarrass city and convention officials. The world economy marched on. And so it is with this. At least the WTO protestors were creative and interesting in their costumes and their methods. Supersized heads of George Bush and Tony Blair and staged "die-ins" aren't funny and cute when US soldiers are still on the front lines trying to accomplish their mission anti-war supporters never supported.

 

My problem with them I guess boils down to the fact that the protestors, like many war opponents in general want so much for the US to get to the "root causes" of the violence and despair in places like Iraq, the Palestinian territories and the Middle East yet they never propose an alternative. They want change and results but never want to get their hands dirty and then mock those, the troops, the Administration, neoconservatives who actually do. Dissent is every bit as much an American value as patriotism and service but if it doesn't manifest itself into an actual agenda it smacks of nothing more than the whiny, little kid who cries when he doesn't get his way. Stop throwing a temper tantrum and start producing results! Opposing the war in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Patriot Act and mocking the color coded threat levels of the Department of Homeland Security is not going to win over the confidence and trust of the American people in a post-9/11 world and win an election.

 

Protestors can say what they want about President Bush, three years after Iraq, that country HAS NOT descended into civil war despite the best attempts of the MSM to convey that, Saddam is in custody and not in power and World War III has not broken out. Given all that could have gone wrong already; a terrorist attack again on American soil, an attack by Saddam against Israel, a much wider and bloodier conflict across the Middle East, etc. etc. I would argue that the worst is behind us. Even the LA Times, no Iraq war supporters by any means is cautioning against simply packing up and leaving. The number of US soldiers who died in 2005 is lower than in 2004. It took this country nearly a decade to evict the British after the signing of the Declaration of Independence and that was in the much slower world of the 1780s and no 24/7 news cycles. The biggest obstacle to succeeding in Iraq has always been, and continues to be, the impatience of the American people and Washington DC, a byproduct of our instant gratification society where long term projects are anathema to election cycles, quarterly reports and overnite ratings.

 

The American people, the vast majority of those who did not protest this past weekend want to win the war in Iraq and want it to happen now. These twin goals have always been in conflict and explain why the level of support for Operation Iraqi Freedom hovers between 40 and 60 percent. Twenty percent of the people three years on still don't know whether they are for it or against it. Yet I bet if you were to ask such a conflicted person if they want to lose, and reap the consequences of losing 95% find that scenario unacceptable and will choose to stick with the troops, hardship and all until our mission is accomplished. The endgame in Iraq most people understand is not cutting and running but Victory.

 

Semper fi.

I just read this little gem of the republicans:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/03/02/patriot_act_wins_final_congressional_approval/

Now, I am not a person that endorses terrorism. In fact I hate it in all its forms, whether it be Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, Martha Stewart, or any of the fine producers of American media. But there comes a time when people really need to take a step back and realize just how stupid some of it is at times.

I am wholly against the Patriot Act, and for several reasons. First, it was never really thought out too well, it was thrown together at the last minute in the wake of September 11th, the whole world was scared shitless and they needed to get something out there. Second, its not needed and hasnt helped at fucking all. Can you please show me an example where the wiretaps allowed in the Patriot Act have stopped another September 11th style attack from happening? I dont think you can, feel free to prove me wrong. And if you do find an example, ask yourself this question "Was it stopped because of the Patriot Act or because they actually followed up on intel reports?"

Think hard about that question, I bet your answer will be the latter rather than the former.

What the fuck is coming up next, a lifetime term for Dubya? The land of the free and the home of the brave behind their suits and titles.

Prologue

            Never in the history of mankind has there ever been a bill as controversial as 2001’s PATRIOT Act. Throughout this essay you will learn many things regarding the act such as; it’s nickname, it’s history, why it must stay and why little Jonny must go to jail.

 

 

Section I: Fat Mans Revenge

 

            After the attacks on America on September 11, 2001, Congress went through desperate measures to fight terrorism. They (Congress) used controversial, yet effective methods of counter-terrorism. Their weapon… The USA Patriot Act.

            What is the Patriot Act, you are asking to yourself right now? “The PATRIOT Act is essential to protecting American people from terrorists” (www.lifeandliberty.gov) Also it is very useful in battling telemarketers.

            When President Bush signed the PATRIOT Act the public response was simply, “Eh?” But in 2003 before the election an overweight liberal filmmaker/writer released Fahrenheit 9/11. And after that the response went from “Eh?” To “How dare he? Putting his face in my business. There are constitutional amendments protecting my right do what so my conscience tells me is correct and incorrect.” Of course this quote was taken from nine and a half year old Ichabod Paul (I.P.) Freely. With the release of Moore’s “documentary” the nation was an expert on political wars on terrorism.

            And so, in 2002 the prophecy was fulfilled, “Look to the sky and you will see him coming. A fat tub of lard that will plague the nation with poorly researched documentaries and a bad figure. His hygiene will be terrible, for he will not shave for months at a time, and he shall be called, Lardo, Fat A** and Tim” (www.jesseinferno.mindsay.com)

 

 

 

Section II: Jonny Goes to Jail

            Imagine, your son, little Jonny, is on the phone every night between the hours of 7 and 9. He locks himself up in his room and disappears for the rest of the night. You (the parents) have no idea what he is plotting if anything. Here you are faced with a number of options; 1) ask Jonny what he is doing 2) ground Jonny from the phone 3) ask Jonny what he is doing and then ground him from the phone 4) ground Jonny from the phone then ask him what he is doing 5) authorize and unauthorized wiretap on Jonny’s phone 6) turn him into the proper authorities and 7) take him to Dairy Queen for a blizzard, and then throw him off a train.

            Now you are wondering to yourself, “what does my son Jonny have to do with national security?” I shall answer that with a number of questions. 1) Has it ever occurred to you that your son’s name is not Jonny? But rather Jim? 2) If so, would it matter to you what little Jonny is doing? 3) That I am trying to convey to you (idiots) that the American governmental system is set up much like a family? 4) Here I’ll show you?

 

George W. Bush

(President/Daddy)

Laura Bush

(First Lady/Mommy)

Richard “Dick” Cheney

(VP/Daddy’s Best Friend that he never really hangs out with, except for at work)

Senators

(Big brothers and sisters)

Representatives

(Siblings no one really likes)

District Officials

(Cousins on your mom’s side)

Governors

(People you saw at a game once)

Lobbyists

(People you’d like to kill)

            So as you can see the governmental system is much modeled after the family system. Of course, had I wanted to discuss this more in depth, I could have mentioned cousins you see only at family reunions or, your great aunt’s nephew’s brother’s cousin’s best friend on their uncle’s sister’s cousin’s roommate’s side. But the fact that the President is the nation’s poppa gives him the right to know what you are talking about. Also I’m sure the fact that the father pays the phone bill helps. Unless of course, you have your very own cell phone that you pay for, by selling dope on Sundays. But that is clearly pushing the “President is Poppa” analogy.

 

Section III: Why Fluffy?

            The PATRIOT Act (better known as Fluffy the Flying Fox) has been under some pretty serious scrutiny ever since John Kerry said, “The PATRIOT Act is an outrageous disgrace to the American people. It infringes on their basic rights as Americans to deal publicly or privately” (www.cnn.com). He was later overheard saying to Tom Mickelson that “Fluffy does have some good points. Take for instance, the adult internet industry, if it weren’t for Fluffy I wouldn’t have known about a great number of great websites that make this great nation so… groovy” (www.jesseinferno.mindsay.com).

            There is a classic example of the John Kerry flip-flop, which is why he didn’t win the election. On his inauguration day, he would have most likely said something along the lines of, “You know what America? {Expletive delete} you!!! Sorry for wastin the better part of a year, but I don’t wanna do this. Besides Teresa makes enough money for the both us exploiting little Laotian boys and using their blood sweat and tears to make Ketchup no one really likes.”

            Now Fluffy, is being threatened with her (yes I checked) life. Democrats and “middle of the road” Republicans are threatening to “pull the plug” (like we did to Terri Schiavo) on our greatest weapon against terrorism. 

            The ACLU (American unCivilized Liberals Unite) has launched a never ending assault on the PATRIOT Act, they have even said, “The PATRIOT Act enables to government to surveil a citizen’s library without judicial notice” (www.aclu.org). That my friends is a load of poop, the PATRIOT Act does give the government the ability to “raid” “your” “library” “files” only if, I repeat ONLY IF!!! JUDICIAL CONSENT IS GRANTED!!!

            Pretend your name is John Smith and you are an avid Animorph reader, the government will not be too concerned with your “dealings.” If however, you are Akmad Abdaul Assin and you show a large interest Osama bin Laden’s 101 ways to overthrow American Government, the government may be wanting to know what it is that you are planning.

            Now let us reflect back on to little Jonny. If little Jonny was reading How to Kill your Parents by Kip Kinkle, you would feel that you have the right to know what he is doing.

 

Section IV: Fluffy Must Stay

 

            Now let me dispel the myths regarding the PATRIOT Act (Fluffy); If you believe Fluffy (PATRIOT Act) infringes on your unalienable (God-given) rights, then you my friend, are an idiot. Fluffy (sometimes called Betty) (once she was even called Kitty Kat (yow!)) (but that’s a completely different story) (I’ll tell you about it later) does grant the government certain powers that would not have been granted otherwise, but only if “the given evidence points to an involvement in terrorist activities” (www.lifeandliberty.gov).

            Since Fluffy’s admittance as a weapon against terrorism, over 300 terrorist cells have been broken up in our country and through out the world (www.lifeandliberty.gov). But Fluffy does have some bad qualities, “it does make the average American feel a bit uneasy about “governmental prying.” However, it is a necessary weapon in our war on terror” (www.mccain.senate.gov).

            As with any war, the war on terrorism will have its casualties. But remember, “the first casualty of war…is innocence”(Oliver Stone). For the Conservative Calling, I’m Mike Pearson. So long. And Good night.