FR Poll Thread: "The Patriot Act Should be..."

Free Republic ^ | 6-13-2005 | DTogo

[DTogo]

As recently suggested, here's a thread to allow FReepers to post (if they want to) how they voted on this poll, why, etc. Let's keep it civil! :)

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"Simultaneously punishing and placating the adherents of Islamic fascism achieve nothing.

God have mercy on their heathen souls when our next 9-11 happens. God also have mercy on the politicians who are in office when that happens.

[pageonetoo]

I wonder how much Americans are focused on entitlements rather than rights when it comes to preventative measures to preserve our freedom?

bend over again...

You state you are a constitutionalist. On what grounds should the Bill of Rights be suspended?

I own houses in four states, thousands of miles apart. Two are out west, and two are here in the east. On the way out last fall, I entered into Oklahoma on I-40 heading west. I was traveling with a group of cars, at ONE MILE OVER THE POSTED LIMIT. I had committed no illegal acts, nor was doing anything unusual, but my car was singled out to pull over.

I challenged the stop, as soon as the cop came alongside my car. After a little debate, the officer asked me if I was carrying (insert long list here) anything illegal. I asked him for a reason why he asked the question, and he started getting belligerent with me... I did not back up from him, but pressed for him to acknowledge he was fishing...

Know your rights. They will keep you OUT OF TROUBLE!

I will categorically state that anyone naive enough to think that one item of the Patriot Act has prevented another attack, probably should get help.

Or, just talk to the Santa. He will understand...

[B4Ranch]

Islam and Christianity do not mix. 9-11 taught us that the hard way because we refused to learn any other way.

Only when we lose our Rights do we yearn to have them again.

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I agree with all you said, and thanks for the break in tension with Santa. I caught your meaning by the way. Just saying, seeing the Santa, made what you posted all the more better. Fairy Tales. :-)

[B4Ranch]

"I asked him for a reason why he asked the question, and he started getting belligerent with me... "

They are fun times, oh yes.

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Only when we lose our Rights do we yearn to have them again.

On 9-11, I knew this day would be coming soon and I have been dreading it.

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I just voted...dropped.

Only 15.5% believe as I do. That is very unnerving.

[TomasUSMC]

I don't go into Syria and Iran to give them freedom, but to give them hell for attacking us and sponsoring those who have and will again.

[Rob_DSM]

I find it frightening how few of the poll respondents want this thing removed or scaled back. Reading some of the replies in this thread gave me chills and made me have to step away from the computer for a minute. What is going on when so many people can't see how wrong this is? And this is just the obvious one that grabs the headlines--what about all the other power grabs by our government that go unreported?

What the heck do we do when even the self-described "conservatives" are in favor of these things? Is our country lost? Are we too far gone for repair?

[B4Ranch]

If I was in the White House;

This would be well known througout the entire world.

Sponsor terrorism against the US of A and:
Your whole country will be glass, nothing will be moving because you sponsored terrorism against the US of A or you loaded your WMD and threatened America. There will be no UN discussions, none of that nonsense. Threaten America and you will have made your last mistake.

No soldiers will come to give your people freedom from you because you will have taken it away from them forever.

[Dead Corpse]

It's the "our guys are in charge so its OK" syndrome. "Our guys" ain't gonna stay in power forever. Considering some of the crap "our guys" have been pulling lately? It's getting to be more like "battered spouse syndrome".

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I find it frightening how few of the poll respondents want this thing removed or scaled back. Reading some of the replies in this thread gave me chills and made me have to step away from the computer for a minute.

It is frightening. And, unbelievable that so few want it dropped

What is going on when so many people can't see how wrong this is? And this is just the obvious one that grabs the headlines--what about all the other power grabs by our government that go unreported?

It's hard to believe that so many conservatives have no qualms about the government being given the authority to go around, kicking down their doors without warrants.

God help us all should the Patriot act pass.

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If you could have a "Do over" on your vote for the Patriot Act...would you vote the same way...or change your vote?

[reagandemocrat]

I'd like a mulligan, if you please....

Change mine from "Pull Back" to "Eliminate".

[PaRebel]

The "rights" you speak of are not the same as the rights in the BOR. The rights being eroded under the Patriot Act are some enumerated in the BOR and are considered un-alienable, or rights inherent in being a person, often referred to as natural rights.

The glorious thing about the founding of our country is that, for the first time in human history, the natural rights of mankind were to be protected by a government created for that very purpose!

We are losing those rights.

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Change mine from "Pull Back" to "Eliminate".

Thank you. I believe this thread has accomplished something, it's caused some to pause.

I only just gave my vote today...time to drop it cold.

[Dead Corpse]

Continue that thought...

We are losing those rights... at the hands of the Government that was supposed to protect those RIghts.

[SaveTheChief]

The problem with that thinking is that you are not taking into account the definitions and standards of "right" and "wrong", and the probability that some unscrupulous politician may one day change those definitions to legally violate the rights of innocent citizens.

[Rate_Determining_Step]

I will concede that some aspects of the current Act are necessary. The ones dealing with law enforcement being able to share information with intelligence. There are some egregious examples that need to remain fixed.

That said, there are a number of bad things that run contrary to the Constitution. Remember, the beauty of our system of government is that it protects the people FROM government. Government doesn't like unknown variables, from anonymity of it's citizens to it's loss of control of it's citizens. This is the nature of government.

Sure, certain members are outstanding patriots, but it is the institution of concentrated power over our lives which seeks to maintain and extend that power. Your favorite Congressman may come and go, but the institution remains. That is what the Framers knew and carefully guarded against. We should not be so willing to pitch it out.

I understand W wants to extend it and on certain key elements, I agree, but the majority was and is a bad idea that we will live to regret if it's made permanent.

Remember Franklin: Those who seek liberty at the expense of freedom deserve neither.

[Rate_Determining_Step]

> We should make speeding a terrorist act.

I know what you said was in jest, but I can actually visualize Hillary or some other Rat claiming that aggressively maximizing deduction in a time of chronic budget shortfalls constitutes an act of terror.

Do you think the IRS wants to be left out of the information loop?