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Democrats want 'John Doe' provision cut
Washington Times ^ | July 19, 2007 | Audrey Hudson

Posted on 07/19/2007 7:40:49 AM PDT by Verloona Ti

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To: Verloona Ti

Well, I called the Cloakroom and THEY don’t know.


21 posted on 07/19/2007 10:29:27 AM PDT by 3AngelaD (They screwed up their own countries so bad they had to leave, and now they're here screwing up ours)
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To: lovecraft
I also fear, people being harassed and intimidated just because somebody has a grudge against you. That's one tightrope walk on a slippery slope....definitely a tough nut to crack legislatively.

While I am making a presumption, it would be my belief that the amendment DOES NOT protect a citizen from knowingly filing a false report of suspicion. If you have any source of info that would prove my assumption otherwise then please provide it.

22 posted on 07/19/2007 7:31:00 PM PDT by torchthemummy (Al Queda In Iraq - Undocumented Terrorists)
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To: torchthemummy
I read the language of the bill. My presumption is based on that it has to be proven that the Accuser made "knowingly false accusations". The burden of proof is completely on the Accused IMHO. Anytime you did anything that could be considered a reasonable suspicion to a jury, it lets the accuser off scott free. "Absolute immunity" are the words being used.

Though I believe the Imams probably did this on purpose to cause the uproar that they wanted, let's presume they were completely innocent, just for the sake of argument. Have they suffered damages due to this situation? It could be argued. Do you think a lawyer wouldn't be drooling for a shot, no matter the odds, at an airline? As for myself, I carry two red gas cans that are full of saltwater into my house to do water changes for my fish tank once a week. It's highly unlikey, but someone "could" interpret that as something suspicious. Especially if I were Muslim, IMHO. Could I be damaged by something as simple as misunderstanding? It's happened to people before. Will I like the idea of the police dropping by to checl it out? Not likely.

Although this situation is unlikely(I hope), frivolous lawsuits already abound. I work next to an ambulance chaser and I hear some weird things people get sued over. If a suspicious, but unknowingly false accusation, happens to an innocent person, it will at best be a hassle, at worst something much more costly.

I completely agree with the spirit of the law. By no means do I think it's a bad idea. I just think some extra provisions could be made to protect the accused. I want absolute zero chance of my money going down the drain to a lawyer to defend an accusation that may possibly affect my life negatively.

Your presumption(IMO) is the Gov't has made adequate protections for it's law abiding citizens in this bill. I tend not to trust them and especially not most lawyers. You also may be presuming only reasonable people will make an accusation on a reasonable suspicion. I believe there's a lot of unreasonableness in the world.

23 posted on 07/19/2007 9:09:43 PM PDT by lovecraft (Specialization is for insects.)
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To: All

This is an important bill.

Here’s a link to find/write your Representative easily:

http://www.house.gov/writerep/


24 posted on 07/20/2007 9:00:42 AM PDT by HollyB
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