Provisions Of Patriot Act Ruled Unconstitutional
December 18, 2008 1 Comment
If the Federal Government requests your Internet records from your service provider, under the Patriot Act, your service provider is prohibited by law from telling you. Furthermore, they would not be allowed to let anyone know the Federal Government has full access to their records. A Federal Court of Appeals has ruled that the National Security Letters and accompanying gag orders are a violation of the First Amendment.
Seems like common sense, but we are still fighting this after it was initially passed in a frenzy in October 2001. One conservative, Bob Barr, was appalled at what was passed in the Patriot Act and has been working for its repeal for some time. Interestingly, as a Congressman he voted for it. This is why it is important that Congress read the bills it passes. Doing things quickly to address a perceived “crisis” is not good practice. Our rights get trampled on in the process.
One proposed solution is the Read The Bills Act, a campaign of Downsize DC. If passed, it would require that Congress read the bills before a vote. This is the standard at our City Council meetings in Sunnyside. I believe our Congress should do the same thing. That is why I have joined the RTBA Coalition. Research it for yourself, and see if you find yourself in agreement.
To learn more about the Read The Bills Act, to make Congress read the bills it passes, visit www.DownsizeDC.org.
To get details on the court case involving the Patriot Act, see the ACLU site here.
About Jason R. Raines
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I moved here from San Antonio a year ago. I am apalled at the city council in Sunnyside. Thought I was moving to an active town. But am finding out there is no representation for the taxpayer. And just a few people are running this town. What I have noticed is the Port of Sunnyside is very active in running this town. And only one commissioner lives in the city. Seems to me the Port should stay out of city business being non residents are on the Port commission. It also seems a person by the name of Bill Flowers is very active in city politics. This man seems to be not representing anyone in this town. I have been told all the empty building down town are empty. I feel the city should be taxing empty building in this city at an excessive rate. Empty building look bad for the city. I am guessing this man wants more rent than they are worth. I get my hair cuts at Larry’s barber shop. He says all the building he is in is full. It it is a far worse building than Flower’s !
It really looks as though this city did not elect very qualified council members. I watch Restucci, Gant, and the mayor. Puppets could do more than these people do. All these three want are more taxes. Heck, my three year old can vote that way without knowing what he is doing !