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In response to 9-11
attacks, U.S. Senate launches attack of its own— on the 4th Amendment
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"Those who would give up essential liberties
for a measure of security, deserve
neither liberty nor security."
- Benjamin Franklin Franklin's words are as true
today as they were back then. Read
why here. |
Rushed evening vote; Privacy Enemy #1: Orrin Hatch
News Articles about the siege on civil liberties
that may be is coming:
Here are quotes from the hearings
on the "Combating
Terrorism Act of 2001', passed at 8:39 p.m. Thursday, less than one
hour after introduction:
Senator Leahy (D-VT):
-"...why
don't we say what we are doing here? We are going to amend our wiretap laws so
we can look into anybody's computers."
-"I have talked with the Attorney
General several times over the last few days. He hasn't told me that he needs
this investigation."
-"I have spoken to the Director of the
CIA. He has not requested that we suddenly turn the attention of the Senate to
this legislation."
-"I haven't heard from the President
that he wants to suddenly have them do a number of reports connected with
this."
-"We do not define terrorism, but we
say we are adding that. I guess some kid who is scaring
you with his computer could be a terrorist and you could go through the kid's
house, his parents' business or anything else under this language; it is that
broad."
-"Somewhere we ought to ask ourselves:
Do we totally ignore the normal ways of doing business in the Senate? If we do
that, what is going to happen when we get down to the really difficult
questions?
"Maybe the Senate wants to just go
ahead and adopt new abilities to wiretap our citizens. Maybe they want to
adopt new abilities to go into people's computers. Maybe that will make us
feel safer. Maybe. And maybe what the terrorists have
done made us a little bit less safe. Maybe they have increased Big Brother in
this country."
Senator Levin (D-MI):
-"[Senator Leahy] has raised some
important questions about making sure we take the time
to know what we are doing. We are not going to have that time tonight. That is
obvious."
...
-"I want to be clear on one point: We
are not adding terrorism to make sure we are covered. We
are applying these new standards to all criminal activity, not just terrorism."
Senator Reid (D-NV):
-"I hope we can
get rid of this amendment at the earliest possible date."
Did your Senator vote for this rushed, poorly-worded,
and dangerous bill? Yes.
Stay tuned to StopCarnivore.org for updates and action items relating to this
new legislation.
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