Congressional Resistance to Ashcroft's Tyranny Growing

Ramo · March 10, 2003, 20:09

Quote:

Olver pushes change to Patriot Act
By Ian Bishop Transcript
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON -- Has Big Brother been watching you?

If you've checked out books or surfed the Web at the local library or bookstore on subjects such as Islamic fundamentalism, nuclear reactors or bomb building, the FBI may know about it.

It's a disconcerting possibility that is making some strange bedfellows on Capitol Hill. Both progressive liberals and conservatives who believe in a minimalist federal government are moving to repeal a section of the USA Patriot Act passed in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that allows federal agents to pull readers' records for little more than curiosity.

Since the attacks, more than 175 libraries nationwide have been visited by the attacks, according to a study by the University of Illinois. However, any information gleaned has been deemed confidential by the Department of Justice.

"The USA Patriot Act, in several key areas, gives law enforcement too much power at the expense of our civil liberties," Said Rep. John W. Olver, whose district stretches from the Berkshires to the western edge of Middlesex County.

Olver is backing the Freedom to Read Protection Act, a bill by Rep. Bernard Sanders, I-Vt., to end the chance federal agents may be checking your reading list.

"This is a very dangerous situation," Sanders said.

Booksellers, librarians and Democrats and Republicans are supporting the effort.

"The focus of the war on terror should be on terrorists, not American citizens," said Rep. Ron Paul, a Texas Republican backing the bill.

Olver and Sanders say the provision in the Patriot Act, granting domestic spying capabilities without the need for search warrants or judicial oversight, is a violation of the U.S. Constitution. There is a legal challenge to the provision, but Sanders said the more direct route is to repeal it legislatively

Attorney General John Ashcroft has defended the Justice Department's tactics and strategy in the ongoing war on terror, either within our borders or beyond. At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing this week, he said the new techniques are rooted in the Constitution.

"Our priority is preventing future terrorism, not making arrests," Ashcroft said.

But not at the expense of a citizen's civil liberties, Olver contends.

"This bill would return some of the safeguards that were in place before passage of the Patriot Act by exempting libraries and booksellers from provisions that allow the federal government access to records without a traditional search warrant," Olver said.

Trina Magi, a reference librarian at the University of Vermont, said the prospect of governmental spying is enough to push many library-goers into self-censoring.

"The moment you have to think about making decisions (about what to read), you are no longer truly free," she said.

To maintain strong educational and economic vitality, Americans should be able and encouraged to explore new information, she said.

The New England Booksellers Association has come down against the provision in the USA Patriot Act. Nearly a dozen communities in southern Vermont have passed resolutions in response to the Act.

GePap · March 10, 2003, 20:12

Hopefully this new ammendment will pass.

Lawrence of Arabia · March 10, 2003, 21:19

dumbass republicans and dems who voted him in.

DuncanK · March 10, 2003, 21:30

Every politician who voted for this should be considered a criminal of the United States and put in jail. (Bush and Ashcroft too).

St Leo · March 10, 2003, 22:00

For poetic justice purposes, Ashcroft should be categorized as a terrorist and sent to Camp X-Ray.

Guynemer · March 10, 2003, 22:03

This is the government we deserve, folks. Our esteemed U.S. Senate, yours and mine, the elected representatives that we put in those hallowed halls, voted overwhelmingly not only to confirm John Ashcroft as A.G., knowing full well what type of man he is, but they also voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Patriot Act.

The blame for this horseshit ultimately rests with the American people. If you really don't like it, start supporting alternatives to the same old **** they shuffle around in D.C. every two years.

EDIT: Ramo, obviously, that tirade wasn't directed at you. Lord knows you are not a supporter of the same old same old. I just wish Americans in general would stop whining and actually do something to change government.

Drake Tungsten · March 10, 2003, 22:11

I've checked out several books on Islamic fundamentalism over the past few months and I could care less if the government notices. I'm not doing anything wrong, so who cares if the government knows? Bring on the US MI5...

DuncanK · March 10, 2003, 23:12

I'm just not talking ****. I mean it. Throw these dickheads in the slammer.

Ramo · March 11, 2003, 07:06

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I'm not doing anything wrong, so who cares if the government knows?

Yes, it's not like the US gov't does anything to Americans who have political opinions it strongly disagrees with (*cough* immigrants *cough*). There's nothing to fear from Big Brother.

Solly · March 11, 2003, 07:09

Quote:

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten
I've checked out several books on Islamic fundamentalism over the past few months and I could care less if the government notices. I'm not doing anything wrong, so who cares if the government knows? Bring on the US MI5...

Urban Ranger · March 11, 2003, 07:58

Hi Joe, how are you doing? I hope you have been locking up those godless commies.

Sava · March 11, 2003, 08:28

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Originally posted by Lawrence of Arabia
dumbass republicans and dems who voted him in.

Ashcroft wasn't voted in... He's never held an elected office. He even lost a Congressional election to a guy who had died. Yet he's qualified to run the Justice Department

Jac de Molay · March 11, 2003, 09:49

Quote:

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten
I've checked out several books on Islamic fundamentalism over the past few months and I could care less if the government notices. I'm not doing anything wrong, so who cares if the government knows? Bring on the US MI5...

The fact that you and I may be doing nothing wrong doesn't give anyone an excuse to chip away at basic liberties.

Can anyone justify passing more restrictive laws by simply saying, "you have nothing to worry about as long as you're doing nothing wrong"?

uh Clem · March 11, 2003, 10:08

Ashcroft is overrated. What do you think he's going to do, just break into our houses and arrest us while we're sitting at our compu

Spiffor · March 11, 2003, 10:48

Quote:

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten
I've checked out several books on Islamic fundamentalism over the past few months and I could care less if the government notices. I'm not doing anything wrong, so who cares if the government knows? Bring on the US MI5...

Sorry, I can't help it

Arrian · March 11, 2003, 11:18

Spiffor,

Using THIS MODERN WORLD should mean immediate disqualification from a debate. It may be the single un-funniest "comic strip" I've ever seen.

As for Freedom to Read Protection Act, good.

-Arrian

Drake Tungsten · March 11, 2003, 11:30

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The fact that you and I may be doing nothing wrong doesn't give anyone an excuse to chip away at basic liberties.

When did secret library records become a basic civil liberty?

GePap · March 11, 2003, 12:36

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When did secret library records become a basic civil liberty?

If the government does not have the right to know to whom you have been speaking without evidence, why can they know what you have been reading without any evidence?

As for the This Modern World:

Take away my freedom to read..but never my freedom to shoot and drive!!! That's the American way!

Imran Siddiqui · March 11, 2003, 14:49

Quote:

Ashcroft wasn't voted in... He's never held an elected office.

Sava, have you recently recieved a lobotomy? First, Ashcroft was confirmed by the Senate (a basic voted in). Secon, he's never held elected office?! What are you on crack? He was elected the Governor of Missouri and then after that he was elected Senator of Missouri losing to Jean Carnahan (who just lost to Jim Talent).

Ramo · March 11, 2003, 16:24

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When did secret library records become a basic civil liberty?

I don't suppose you've heard of the 4th Amendment?

Sava · March 11, 2003, 16:27

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Originally posted by uh Clem
Ashcroft is overrated. What do you think he's going to do, just break into our houses and arrest us while we're sitting at our compu

I don't think many other people got that...

Clear Skies · March 11, 2003, 16:40

*raises hand tentatively* I did...
And Ashcroft is an *******.

Shi Huangdi · March 11, 2003, 18:12

Quote:

Originally posted by Sava

I don't think many other people got that...

We all did. But only you would be so proud of yourself for getting such an obvious joke.