I don't want to get into arguments with conservatives over the Patriot Act, as I am much more comfortable with conservatives than liberals on many issues. However, the erosion of civil liberties is something that concerns me deeply and I think that Bush and Ashcroft are heading in a dangerously wrong direction in this matter.
Bob Barr is certainly no liberal..
reviewjournal.com
Barr has been at the forefront of one of the oddest confluences in American politics: The convergence of left and right in opposition to the erosion of civil rights in the name of the war on terror. Talk to Barr for even a few minutes, and you'll find things are far worse than just the USA Patriot Act.
"What concerns all of us ... is that the government hasn't paid attention, not just enough attention, but any attention, to the civil liberties side," says Barr, who was in town to attend the annual SHOT Show, a huge firearms exposition at the Las Vegas Convention Center. "What I find is that most people haven't focused on it, but once they do, and once they've recognized what we're saying is true, is that fighting terrorism by giving up your civil liberties is not an effective way to fight terrorism. And, you're giving up your civil liberties in the bargain."
It's a message that comes from the left, including the American Civil Liberties Union, and the right, including the American Conservative Union, Eagle Forum and the Americans for Tax Reform. The ACLU, in fact, had a booth for the first time at this year's Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C., Barr said...
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And this Big Brother episode..
reviewjournal.com
Sources: FBI gathered visitor information only in Las Vegas
By ROD SMITH
GAMING WIRE
Only in Las Vegas did the FBI require all hotel operators to surrender guest lists and airlines to turn over arriving passenger manifests, sources at the U.S. Department of Justice said Tuesday...
...Industry sources who asked not to be identified complained they were intimidated into providing the information because of their vulnerability to the decisions of federal and state regulators..
..."This is an area where the government is using the threat of its powers to compel compliance, but the compliance (may appear to be) voluntary," Edgar said.
If that is the case, the FBI could still create dossiers on large numbers of individuals not suspected of committing any crime more serious than visiting Las Vegas for a holiday vacation, he said.
"The federal government has been saying we don't have anything to worry about because it will only use its powers sparingly and to investigate terrorists. Obviously, what they're doing is much broader than that," Edgar said.
In Las Vegas, the only city where visitors have been targeted since the new powers were granted, Peck said there is no reason "to believe anything the government is telling us on how many people are being investigated or for what."
"In fact, there is every reason not to believe them because they asked for the blanket gag order so they wouldn't have to tell," he said.
Spokesmen for Las Vegas casinos said they were under specific instructions not to discuss any information-gathering with customers or with the media...
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And again, this example of using the powers of the Patriot Act in matters having nothing to do with terrorism...
reviewjournal.com
PATRIOT ACT: Law's use causing concerns
Use of statute in corruption case unprecedented, attorneys contend
By J.M. KALIL and
STEVE TETREAULT
REVIEW-JOURNAL
The investigation of strip club owner Michael Galardi and numerous politicians appears to be the first time federal authorities have used the Patriot Act in a public corruption probe...
..."I have discussed this with lawyers all over the country, and if the government has done this before, then this is definitely the first time it has come to light," said Las Vegas attorney Dominic Gentile, who represents former Clark County Commissioner Lance Malone, Galardi's lobbyist.
Two of Nevada's lawmakers blasted the FBI for employing the act in the Galardi probe, saying the agency overstepped its bounds.
Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Congress intended the Patriot Act to help federal authorities root out threats from terrorists and spies after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
"The law was intended for activities related to terrorism and not to naked women," said Reid, who as minority whip is the second most powerful Democrat in the Senate...
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The direction of freedom and rights in this country is heading steadily in the wrong direction. Remember the story of the frog in the pot of water. The temperature was gradually raised, one degree at a time, until the sucker ended up cooked without even realizing his predicament... |
