Questioning the Patriot Act

OC Register ^ | 1/28/04 | Op/Ed

[NormsRevenge]

A decision by federal Judge Audrey B. Collins in Los Angeles to strike down a portion of the sweeping anti-terrorism law passed in haste after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, looks like a heartening sign that the judiciary system might be ready to get back in the game of protecting the liberties of American citizens. Even better would be a decision by Congress to let those portions of the Patriot Act scheduled to expire this year to expire.

[rhombus]

But the act expanded the scope of criminality to include mere speech, which the Constitution protects vigilantly.

Except of course when it comes to hiring someone to buy television time to express your views before an election (especially if you're a Republican).

[Modernman]

There are plausible arguments for allowing the government to exercise some extraordinary powers during a time of threat to the country, but such decisions also deserve skeptical scrutiny

Couldn't agree more.