Something Wicked This Way Comes
September 25th, 2006 | by Ken Grandlund |From my digital mailbox this morning comes the following from Downsize DC, an organization committed to (among other thing) passing laws that would require legislators to actually read and write the bills they pass. Lately though, they have turned their efforts to actually protecting the America that our founders originally intended.
The Senate and House of representatives are set to pass revised FISA and Torture laws that while presented as tools to use against actual terrorists are really the first steps towards a repressive American regime that could dramatically change the foundations of our country.
Some excerpts from their letter:
We hate to sound apocalyptic. We loathe the politics of fear (even if it works!). So we’re not looking to scare you. But you need to know that the end is near for “archaic” ideas like . . .
* the right to security in your home and papers
* the right to be free from unreasonable searches
* the safety net of judicial warrant requirements
* the right to a trial by a jury of your peers in a system of due process
* reasonable bail and recourse for false arrest
* protection from cruel and unusual punishment
Those were great ideals for “dead white men,” but apparently your children won’t need them anymore. Because, you know, the politicians need to protect you and your children from terrorism.
But the politicians need to get a grip, and a sense of proportion. You don’t turn the country upside down for light and transient causes. You’re more likely to die in your car, or be struck by lightening, than be harmed by terrorism. We don’t fret about such risks, so why are destroying American freedom in the name of an even smaller risk?
The result will be more warrantless searches than in all of U.S. history. And if that history is any guide, it’s only a matter of time before this power is used for reasons other than “national security.”
Revisions to FISA include provisions that could legalize:
* The President can spy on you without a warrant
* You’ll never learn that his spys have done so, until they use the information against you (legally or not)
* Your phone and internet providers can’t refuse to provide information about you
* Or tell you they’ve done so after the fact
Due to the Republican majority in both houses, it is quite likely that these bills will pass. But you can still be heard.
Follow these links to submit your voice of protest.
“No Torture! No “Star Chamber Courts!”
For the full text of the bills, read S.2453 (Specter’s Spying Bill), H.R. 5825 (the House companion bill), and S.3901 (the Frist Torture Bill).
[tag]FISA, Specter Bill, Frist Bill, Downsize+DC, activism[/tag]
One Response to “Something Wicked This Way Comes”
By Tom Harper on Sep 25, 2006 | Reply
Thank God for Downsize DC. Everyone should be on their mailing list. They’re one of the most effective groups for fighting against this encroaching Orwellian government. They should appeal to people of most political viewpoints. If they have any political affiliation it would be Libertarian. I don’t agree with them on everything but they’ve sure brought a lot of government sleaze out into the open.