I need examples of how the Patriot Act has compromised liberties!

[eyesroll]

"Congress has dedicated significant resources toward counterterrorism, beefing up our homeland security efforts, and strengthening our intelligence capabilities.  Yet, all this has been accomplished without compromising our civil liberties.  As a nation, we pride ourselves on our rule of law, and system of fairness.  To give up any of our rights for increased protection was never an option! "
http://www.house.gov/sensenbrenner/wc20030908.html

This is from Jim Sensenbrenner's Web site. He was the one who introduced the Patriot Act, and he's bragging about how it's made us safer. And while he's now "fighting" for ensuring our liberty, blah blah, the rest of this seems to suggest otherwise.

If you have examples, with links, of how the system has ACTUALLY impacted civil liberties (and not just threatened them), or how how counterterrorism, homeland security and intelligence have actually been underfunded, please post. We're looking to compile a Sensenbrenner vs. Reality sheet.

Thanks!

Edited to reflect that "fact vs. reality" is not a very productive topic for a handout.

[nannygoat]

1. Hey, eyesroll, here are some resources, from a wide variety of sources,

that might have the info you're looking for:

Electronic Privacy Information center (EPIC)
Counter-Terrorism Proposals
http://www.epic.org/privacy/terrorism/

New compromise "Patriot Act" is still a threat to civil liberties
http://www.lp.org/press/archive.php?function=view&record=537

ACLU Seeks Information on Government's Use of Vast New Surveillance Powers
http://archive.aclu.org/issues/privacy/USAPA_feature.html

The USA Patriot Act: We Deserve Better
http://www.cato.org/current/terrorism/pubs/levy-martial-law.html

[eyesroll]

2. Wow, ACLU and CATO on the same post!

Thanks -- exactly what I need.

[Mandate My Ass]

3. This one knocked my socks off

This is from a local rag in my very right-leaning community.

A Nation Changed: Patriot Act and tighter rein on personal freedoms has prompted some concerns.

On June 10, Media attorney Art Donato was speaking about the shortcomings of the Patriot Act to a group of senior citizens in Haverford.

The next day, he got a call from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A friend at the office told him they were alerted that "they ought to keep their eye on me because I’m not a patriot," he said.

http://www.delcotimes.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10128713&BRD=1675&PAG=461&dept_id=18171&rfi=8

The feds calling one's coworkers and warning them about a person's lack of patriotism based on an uninvestigated phone tip??

[gandalf]

4. Fact vs. Reality??? You fact vs. fiction or rumours? n/t

[eyesroll]

6. Oops. Thanks, Gandalf...

:dunce:
I really should think before typing.

Indeed, I'm looking for Sensenbrenner vs. Reality or fact vs. rumor.

[Khephra]

5. try this

http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=12025