PATRIOT ACT II?

[Dark Times]

www.commondreams.org/views03/0213-09.htm

You decide. As for me *ahem* .... O Canada!

[blablabla]

The major error in the reporting of this Patriot Act II is the basis that all that live in America have a "right" to U.S. Citizenship. Priviliges can be taken away, but rights should not. It is NOT OUR RIGHT TO BE US CITIZENS and we must recognize that our actions against this country can/should result in removing our citizenship.

[Mylezylez]

The scary thing about the patriot act (I & II) is its ability to strip anyone of their citizenship (subsequently nullifying their constitutional rights), if they are labeled an "enemy combatant". Why is it necessary to strip someone of his or her constitutional rights? If you have a suspect in a bus bombing or something, is it necessary to hold him without charging him, and not allow a fair trial? Is he not still innocent until proven guilty?

And what exactly is the definition of "against this country"? Perhaps you will disagree with my assessment of this situation but: There is no such thing as an "anti-American". In mathematics, "anti" or "not-X" can only exist when "X" exists. In order for someone to hold a belief system that is "ANTI-American", then there must be one and only one definitive "American" belief system. Since the constitution and bill of rights advocate diversity, it is hard to believe there can be a single American belief system, other than those social contracts.

In my humble opinion, doing away with the constitution and bill of rights when dealing with terrorism is the most blatant violation of the principals that this country was founded on. How can anyone claim that there are people who are NOT created equal, do not deserve a fair trial, and do not have the right to privacy? The last time I checked, September 11th, 2001 wasn't some great wound on the enormous creature named "America"; it was the deaths of thousands of people (out of 250,000,000), at the hands of a few. If we as Americans truly believe in the founding fathers and bill of rights, then we'd act WITHIN those principals (even against those who allegedly "hate our freedom").

Just some food for thought. Any comments are appreciated.

-Miles

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[Just a thought]

The framers of our Constitution certainly never had in mind that terrorists with access to weapons of mass destruction could threaten our nation. Remember, there was no thing such as chemical, biological or nuclear weapons back then. No one had the means to kill thousands at a time. Also, global travel was extremely difficult for people with bad intentions. Obviously, today is a whole other story. The police and government officials have a VERY difficult task to perform. The key to their success is the intelligence gathering necessary to prevent another disaster like 9/11. I truly cannot understand why the liberal segment of our society believes our government is somehow engaging in an evil plot to destroy civil liberties. If these well meaning citizens succeed (and they've been doing a pretty good job of it) in severely limiting the ability of our government to conduct pro-active investigations of suspected terrorists living in our country, then we are doomed to another 9/11. Nothing else will stop it, not pacifism, not the U.N., and not our military. We have got to take these threats seriously and stop asking our government to fight a battle for us with one hand tied behind its back. Remember something else...our enemies absolutely rely on the political dissent now taking root in our country. Witness the reaction of Sadaam following the protests in the US. Our enemies hide behind the Bill of Rights like snipers. We simply cannot wait for another sneak attack without doing everything we can to prevent it. And, if that means prying into the lives of suspected terrorists, then so be it. No one has anything to fear if they aren't involved in illegal activity, so why all the fuss? Why are we helping the terrorists avoid detection, and at whose risk? I really believe if there was a nationwide poll of American citizens, that the consensus of opinion would be to allow the government more leeway in conducting surveillance, etc. of suspected terrorists. However, a very vocal minority in this country which includes a liberal news media completely drowns out the majority. So, maybe after the next few attacks here in America, the liberals will wake up and untie Uncle Sam's other hand. But I doubt it.. they'll just blame the government for not being prepared. Sorry, you can't have it both ways.
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[Straight Up Citizen]

"I really believe if there was a nationwide poll of American citizens, that the consensus of opinion would be to allow the government more leeway in conducting surveillance, etc. of suspected terrorists."

There was a poll about 20 years ago. The question was whether people would support the text of the Fourth Amendment without being told what it was. The majority of Americans polled said they would definitely be against it.

Americans have always strongly supported the elimination of other people's right, so long as it doesn't affect them. The Patriot Act I and II use the current political climate and fear of terrorism to enact the Justice Department's agenda for the past 40 years. You're just lack sufficient education and understanding to realize that your being sucked into the buying it. These laws won't change anything about terrorism. They will just allow law enforcement to eliminate all those silly little roadblocks (see Constitution) that kept them from breaking into people's houses at night and hauling them away whenever they want to. And when its your life at stake, you'll be crying like a baby about your civil rights. With your chest all swelled with patriotic pride, and your head filled with dreams of revenge and glory, there's no room left for thought or reason. America is the Constitution to protect the rights of the individuals against an overpowering government. Maybe you should lose your citizenship for being a bad American.
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