Patriot Act is used to spy on those opposed to Bush policies

[shance]

It should be of little surprise that Congressman Sensebrenner is attempting to permanently enact the Patriot Act, even though it was emphatically promised by lawmakers and the Administration that it would not become a lasting provision. How many other promises have been made and broken by this Administration?

It's important to know and remember why the Patriot Act is essentially illegal and in violation of both the First Amendment and the Bill of Rights.

The Patriot Act needs to be repealed. How many cities now have prohibited its legitimacy? Many. The cities and citizens have overruled the Patriot Act because it violates the heart and spirit for which our country has prided itself on.

Here are some examples of why the Patriot Act needs to be repealed, specifically in terms of those of us who oppose the policies coming primarily from this Administration. It's not just Democrats opposing such pieces of legislation, its Americans at large.

Please call your senators and Congressman today. And call your friends and family as well. It effects all of us.


Ashcroft Defends Domestic Spying On Dissidents

http://www.americanfreepress.net/html/ashcroft_defends.html


The New COINTELPRO
The Feds are spying on - and harassing - political activists
With a fury not seen since the 1960s.

http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/TAI410A.html


ACLU accuses FBI of 'spying' on activists

Civil liberties group says FBI used 'terrorism' as a pretext for improper surveillance and interviews.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0519/dailyUpdate.html

THE SCARLET "T"
The Criminalization of Political Speech

http://portlandmercury.com/2002-09-05/city2.html

WG Man Claims He Is Target Of FBI Intimidation
Ben Garrett's political activism had FBI agents knocking at his door

http://www.commongroundcommonsense.org/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t
30939.html

Ashcroft, Patriot Act quash civil liberties

http://www.beaconnewspaper.com/media/paper540/news/2004/03/08/Opinion/Ashcroft.Patriot.Act.Quash.Civil.Liberties-628252.shtml

Surveillance State

Since September 11, a flood of federal legislation has reduced American freedom without increasing our security.

http://www.amconmag.com/05_19_03/cover.html


License to Criticize the Patriot Act
by Nancy Talanian

This month's terrorist attacks on Madrid subways should remind us that antiterrorism policies must not be left to politicians alone: All of us have a personal stake in making sure they are effective. Moreover, Spain's election day upheaval should motivate politicians to be honest with their constituents about terrorism risks and terrorist attacks and to listen thoughtfully to their concerns and criticisms.

Here in the United States, the more the public learns about U.S. government antiterrorism policies and practices such as the USA PATRIOT Act<1>, the more it fears a loss of privacy, a chilling of dissent and other First Amendment rights, and the targeting and mistreatment of people on the basis of their race, religion, or ethnic background.

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0402-03.htm


Rights groups probe charges of FBI spying in ‘terror war’

http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_1711.shtml


Outlawing dissent

Spying on peace meetings, cracking down on protesters, keeping secret files on innocent people -- how Bush's war on terror has become a war on freedom.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article5637.htm

Protestors Are Not Terrorists

Police departments across the country are spying and compiling dossiers on political activists.

http://www.alternet.org/story/16184/

Spying for Fun and Profit

New technologies raise serious questions about invasions of privacy and violations of civil liberties. They're also expensive. Who's buying and who's profiting?

http://www.alternet.org/story/16009/

[indepat]

1. The Patriot Acts are far more about quelling dissent than in identifying

potential terrorists IMHO and everyone who voted for these Act has violated the letter and spirit of the oath to protect, defend, and preserve the Constitution of the United State IMHO, but what's a solitary voice in the wilderness?

[shance]

2. Considering the large number of cities who have enacted resolutions

against the Patriot Act, I'd say we are certainly more than a voice in the wilderness, wouldnt you?

However, I do think there needs to be more of a concentrated bipartisan effort from American citizens at large, because it effects every one of us.

Perhaps that is why so many cities have passed legislation overruling its provisions.

[newswolf56]

3. Given der Bushler's role in the rise of Christofascism...

...my own great fear is that the Patriot Act is secretly intended to provide the foundation of a New Inquisition for the persecution of all "heretics" -- those of us who oppose theocracy and fundamentalism (whether Christian or Islamic).

Yes I know most of the Patriot Act was originally proposed by Janet Reno -- who I believe was just as much a threat to liberty as der Bushler himself. But the Reno version was resoundingly defeated in Congress (by a strong Left/Right coalition). It was not until Bush renamed it "Patriot Act" and presented it as a war measure that anyone was able to secure its passage.

[shance]

4. I have never heard Janet Reno's initiation. However I have heard of

the Project for a New American Century's proposed initiation of this Patriot Act.

However, I remain ignorant as to the facts of its true origin.