First, I don't see this law as an intentional, nefarious conspiracy by any stretch. I do fear however that it is representative of the typical slippery slope. You state that this is war and some rights need to be suspended during wartime, which I recognize. One problem however is that we did not declare war and we are continuously reminded that pursuing the terrorists will take years. Combine this with the fact that the sunset clause that is supposed to protect us from a permanent loss of freedom is no assurance that the current legislation won't be easily renewed as a rider to a midnight congressional pay raise bill, or that a simple loophole pointed out by others will likely void the sunset clause altogether. Regardless of intent or the need to pursue terrorists, I fear that this particular piece of legislation is permanent and that fear is not unreasonable when one understands the nature of government.
My biggest concern with respect to much of this legislation is that the President and Congress continue to ignore the real tools used by enemies of this nation to attack us in our own neighborhoods - lax immigration law enforcement. We seem to have all kinds of laws that the FBI can now use against ordinary citizens (like entering our homes without ever telling us), yet we continue to let "students" with expired visas roam the country free as a bird. We force the overburdened and overregulated small business owner to add up all the transactions in cash that you and I make and fill out reports if they total more than $10,000, yet we release known illegal immigrants from nations known to support terrorists from prison, rather than shipping them back to their own countries or keeping them locked up during this time of "war."
Personally, I recognize that some measures in the bill were necessary and good. They did ask for the right to hold illegal immigrants for a longer period of time than previously allowed, which makes sense. What frustrates me however is that I can't figure out why it is ok to watch me in a manner previously not allowed, while those same illegal immigrants aren't held indefinitely or deported alogether. Yes, there are tools in the Patriot Act that will assist law enforcement in tracking terrorists. Unfortunately, I believe they slipped a lot of other stuff in there under the guise of anti-terrorism that they have always wanted but could not get because the things they wanted were unconstitutional as a cynical and opportunistic ploy. It happned when the Murrah building was bombed and it just happened again. A few more bombings and we won't be that much different than Stalinist Russia. Hyperbole? Perhaps. But 10 years ago, nobody would believe the measures they have recently slipped through.
To be sure, I blame Clinton for this, not Bush. I can even get conspiratorial and not discount the idea that Clinton was purposely setting us up for this for his own benefit. Nevertheless, the effect is real.
If you or somebody else could demonstrate for me how these measures will stop terrorism and that they won't be used for a single political purpose ever, I would feel better about it. Unfortunately, it is not possible to prove a future event. The Framers understood the nature of government and put protections in the Constitution for this very reason, with the understanding that the impediments to government might make things difficult, but that those difficulties were more desirable than the alternative.
Simply put, I can't. That would be impossible for me to do, not to mention foolish. There is no doubt that this legislation.........as any legislation..........can be abused and probably will be by some a**hole somewhere, sometime.
"Unfortunately, it is not possible to prove a future event."
This is also true. It's also why we, as citizens who, ourselves, are sworn to defend and uphold the Constitution of the United States have to stay vigilant as all hell during these times..............and even more so when it suddenly becomes generally accepted that "the war on terrorism" is won / over (which will never be a specific date like VE or VJ Day; it'll be a gradual realization; a general understanding of the world situation; perceived changes in mindsets in those countries that have traditionally supported terrorism, etc.).
If you seek assurances that laws / legislation such as the "Patriots Act" (I readily admit to hating that name) cannot be abused, you've come to the wrong guy. If you ask me if I think that many / most of its provisions are necessary during time of war, I'll say "Yes; absolutely." If you ask, in the next breath, whether or not we need to remain especially vigilant as citizens and activists that these same pieces of wartime legislation aren't turned against law-abiding, freedom-loving citizens........I'll say "You're damned RIGHT."
War does that. It makes us accept things, do things that we otherwise would not in an effort to ensure our Country's safety, the safety of our military personnel, and the continued existence of the American Ideal. It wasn't fun in WWI nor WWII nor Korea nor Vietnam nor even Desert Storm...........it sure as hell isn't fun now.
My point is simple: We must do what we must do to rid our country of the vermin that undoubtedly wander our highways and inhabit our apartment complexes as of this writing. We must also be certain that we hold those who are so tasked accountable...........now, in one year, in three years, in eight years.
I'll also add that I appreciate the wholly different tone of this conversation.
FR Thread - Proposed Visa Ban Dropped
However, I will say that it appears Congress is spineless. Looks like Academia is firmly in control of policy.
Personally, I recognize that some measures in the bill were necessary and good. They did ask for the right to hold illegal immigrants for a longer period of time than previously allowed, which makes sense. What frustrates me however is that I can't figure out why it is ok to watch me in a manner previously not allowed, while those same illegal immigrants aren't held indefinitely or deported alogether. Yes, there are tools in the Patriot Act that will assist law enforcement in tracking terrorists. Unfortunately, I believe they slipped a lot of other stuff in there under the guise of anti-terrorism that they have always wanted but could not get because the things they wanted were unconstitutional as a cynical and opportunistic ploy. It happned when the Murrah building was bombed and it just happened again. A few more bombings and we won't be that much different than Stalinist Russia. Hyperbole? Perhaps. But 10 years ago, nobody would believe the measures they have recently slipped through.
To be sure, I blame Clinton for this, not Bush. I can even get conspiratorial and not discount the idea that Clinton was purposely setting us up for this for his own benefit. Nevertheless, the effect is real.
If you or somebody else could demonstrate for me how these measures will stop terrorism and that they won't be used for a single political purpose ever, I would feel better about it. Unfortunately, it is not possible to prove a future event. The Framers understood the nature of government and put protections in the Constitution for this very reason, with the understanding that the impediments to government might make things difficult, but that those difficulties were more desirable than the alternative.
This is so good, it bears repeating. I still haven't gotten over the 14 Syrians let in the country in October for flying lessons.