Yesterday's ACLU alert on Intelligence Reform Act

[genius]

The problem with this 3000 page bill is that it adds to and repeals from previous legislation, thereby making it hard to read, much like USA-PATRIOT. Congress has a choice not to pass this stuff unless they understand what they are voting for. Feinstein's office was confused what was in the bill when I called them. However, she has never been a major proponent of civil liberties and probably wasn't that concerned.

The ACLU alert focusses on different issues from those discussed in the alert from Ron Paul but it is equally disturbing. Members of Greenpeace (much of Hollywood) and other groups on the terrorist list could be arrested. I wouldn't be surprised if Gonzales placed the Democratic Party or the DU on that list, making us all guilty of the crime of membership. The alert also discusses the creation of a de facto national I.D.

http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/SafeandFree.cfm?ID=17155&c=206

ACLU Opposes ‘Intelligence Reform’ Bill; Measure Fails to Safeguard Privacy, Freedom

December 6, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [e-mail]

WASHINGTON - In a letter sent to all members of Congress, the American Civil Liberties Union today said that it is opposing the final intelligence reform bill that is likely to be considered this week because its provisions would unnecessarily undermine the nation’s civil liberties.

"In its attempt to reform our intelligence systems by an artificial deadline, Congress appears willing to accept legislation that will diminish our freedom and privacy," said Laura W. Murphy, Director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office. "While Sens. Collins and Lieberman and Reps. Hoekstra and Harman should be commended for their hard work, their final measure unfortunately includes provisions that would undermine our civil liberties."

The bill would centralize the intelligence community’s surveillance powers, increasing the likelihood for government abuses, the ACLU said, without creating sufficient corresponding safeguards.

In letters sent to the House and Senate today, the ACLU said that the legislation contains provisions that would:

.Unnecessarily expand wiretapping to erase a key constitutional safeguard and expand the "guilt by association" material support law, including making mere membership in a designated terrorist organization a criminal offense for the first time. The 9/11 Commission did not call for any of these provisions in its report.
Create a weakened civil liberties board that risks becoming the proverbial fox guarding the hen house.
.The board would be appointed by the President, serve at his pleasure, and have no subpoena power.
.Standardize drivers’ licenses and state identification cards, creating a de facto national ID. This cosmetic "quick fix" would not effectively deter terrorists, the ACLU said, but would threaten our freedom and our right to privacy by making it easier for the federal government to constantly track our movements...."

[4MoreYearsOfHell]

1. "...would threaten our freedom and our right to privacy ..."

But - we have no right to privacy...

Rick Santorum - he tells me so...

The sniveling shit wans't wrong, was he?

[genius]

2. I bet Pelosi is toast with the ACLU today.

[genius]

3. Byrd, Kucinich, McDermott and 6 other Dems listened.

These three are our true leaders.