Post by RS Davis on Oct 21, 2003 6:32:36 GMT -5
On September 24, 2003, libertarian Republican Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX)
joined with liberal Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) to introduce the "Benjamin
Franklin True Patriot Act" (H.R. 3171).
The bill is designed to repeal unconstitutional sections of the police-state
USA PATRIOT Act, ramrodded through Congress immediately after the September
11 terrorist attacks. It also shores up fundamental Constitutional
liberties.
The bipartisan Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act is co-sponsored by 21
other representatives.
The name of the bill is in part a reference to the famous remark attributed
to Franklin, quoted in the text of the bill: "Those who would give up
essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither
Liberty nor Safety."
The Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act repeals 15 sections of the original
USA PATRIOT Act, including those that permit:
* surveillance of Internet activities without probable cause;
* "sneak and peak" delayed notification search warrants;
* warrantless searches of a broad range of personal records including
library, medical, and financial records;
* the indefinite detention and deportation of non-citizens without judicial
review.
The Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act also protects attorney-client
privilege; demands that the FBI not spy on protesters or in religious
institutions unless investigating criminal activity; adds some transparency
and accountability to Department of Justice and Department of Homeland
Security activities; and supports liberty in other important ways.
The bill has already earned the support of prominent civil liberties
organizations, and many more endorsements are expected.
It's great to see some members of Congress finally taking action to roll
back the worst parts of the anti-liberty USA PATRIOT Act. We can only hope
that many others wake up and join them.
(Sources: article and text of bill:
usgovinfo.about.com/cs/waronterror/a/unpatriotact.htm ;
Op-ed:
www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2003/10/13/build/opinion/guest.inc
joined with liberal Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) to introduce the "Benjamin
Franklin True Patriot Act" (H.R. 3171).
The bill is designed to repeal unconstitutional sections of the police-state
USA PATRIOT Act, ramrodded through Congress immediately after the September
11 terrorist attacks. It also shores up fundamental Constitutional
liberties.
The bipartisan Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act is co-sponsored by 21
other representatives.
The name of the bill is in part a reference to the famous remark attributed
to Franklin, quoted in the text of the bill: "Those who would give up
essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither
Liberty nor Safety."
The Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act repeals 15 sections of the original
USA PATRIOT Act, including those that permit:
* surveillance of Internet activities without probable cause;
* "sneak and peak" delayed notification search warrants;
* warrantless searches of a broad range of personal records including
library, medical, and financial records;
* the indefinite detention and deportation of non-citizens without judicial
review.
The Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act also protects attorney-client
privilege; demands that the FBI not spy on protesters or in religious
institutions unless investigating criminal activity; adds some transparency
and accountability to Department of Justice and Department of Homeland
Security activities; and supports liberty in other important ways.
The bill has already earned the support of prominent civil liberties
organizations, and many more endorsements are expected.
It's great to see some members of Congress finally taking action to roll
back the worst parts of the anti-liberty USA PATRIOT Act. We can only hope
that many others wake up and join them.
(Sources: article and text of bill:
usgovinfo.about.com/cs/waronterror/a/unpatriotact.htm ;
Op-ed:
www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2003/10/13/build/opinion/guest.inc
