From The Ramparts

Momentum Growing Against PATRIOT ACT Extension

Momentum Against PATRIOT ACT Renewal

“Conservative groups have found common ground with the liberal American Civil Liberties Union in their opposition to the USA Patriot Act and pledge to wage a high-profile fight against it, claiming even its renewal is shrouded in secrecy. Former Rep. Bob Barr, who led conservative efforts to impeach President Clinton, is leading a group called "Patriots to Restore Checks and Balances" that is focused exclusively on opposing the renewal of the Patriot Act. The effort also has the enthusiastic support of three of the most influential conservatives in Washington, Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform, David Keene of the American Conservative Union and Phyllis Schlafly of the Eagle Forum. 'They support this effort because the true conservatives understand the Constitution and understand when it is threatened,' Mr. Barr said. 'They are not your neo-cons and typical Washington insiders. This is a broad array of conservative groups.' Brad Jansen, an adjunct scholar at the conservative Competitive Enterprise Institute, has also joined Mr. Barr's effort, and said he will prove today that opposition to the Patriot Act is a political winner.”- James G. Lakely The Washington Times
06-14-05

Some AmeriKKKans are finally rousing from their slumber and are now coming to the conclusion they must fight for their endangered way of life. Once the shock of 9-11 wore off many AmeriKKKans began to question the actions of their government despite attempts by the Bush administration to squelch dissent or pry open the stealth and secrecy modes the Bush administration operates under. An article in the online version of the Washington Times states conservatives and liberals have joined together to oppose the extension of the infamous PATRIOT ACT which was enacted by Congress in the wee hours of the morning following 9-11 with no debate and most legislators hadn’t even read the document that was prepared for them not by their own members but by the White House! Since its enactment the mis-named PATRIOT ACT has been the flash point of concerns and anxiety about encroachment on the civil liberties and procedures of US citizens. The secrecy and deceit of the Bush administration as unnerved enough people that conservatives and liberals are now putting aside their ideological differences and coming together to finds ways to restore credibility, transparency and confidence in the legislative process. Many are even more alarmed because the US Senate Committee on Intelligence has indicated the will hold closed hearings on the bill. Their rationale is there is classified information they need to consider but to many this is the same ol’ same ol’ of secrecy and duplicity. The Washington Times article stated, “Of particular concern of Mr. Barr's coalition was the decision by the Senate Intelligence Committee to mark up a renewal of the law in a closed session, a move justified by the use of classified information in the hearing. The committee approved the use of "administrative subpoenas" in the meeting, which would allow the FBI to obtain a suspect's medical, financial and other private records without first gaining the approval of a federal judge. The fate of the Intelligence Committee bill for renewal is not clear. The Senate Judiciary Committee can mark up its own bill, an option Chairman Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania Republican, said he is inclined to do. But not all conservatives agree with some of the movement's biggest names. The Heritage Foundation has given its full-throated support to Mr. Bush's version of the law.”
It will be interesting to see if other groups get involved in this fight. Perhaps more radical organizations like the National Lawyers Guild or MOVEON will also champion the cause. Unfortunately most AmeriKKKans are so focused on banalities like the Michael Jackson verdict they have no clue what is going on in the world outside of what the media mind control apparatus tells them. The Bush cabal is moving swiftly to undermine their way of life with their economic and political policies and are preparing for a fascist police state, gulag and governing system that will make Hitler and Stalin look like choir boys. As more and more people wake up to the fact their government holds them in total contempt, it will be interesting to see how they respond. Will they sit back and allow Bush and Co to continue to run the country’s economy into the abyss of unmanageable debt and perpetual war or will they stand up for themselves and their posterity and fight back?

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posted by Junious Ricardo Stanton @ 7:08 AM