September 27, 2001 Volume 4, Issue 8
In the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11, many Americans
are now in a frenzy over what to do to improve safety and security. And as
a result, many politicians are in a frenzy on Capitol Hill, trying to
figure out which American liberties are expendable, and which ones are
not. The correct answer, of course, is NONE of our freedoms are worth
sacrificing.
Yet in this time of uncertainty, law-enforcement will need certain
tools to
be able to hunt down and capture terrorists within our borders. That much
is understood. This is not, however, a call for sweeping, long-term
measures that would transform the United States into a permanent police
state. Congress is currently debating provisions in the “Combating
Terrorism Act of 2001” as well as other long-term measures to prevent
terrorist attacks in the future. Some of these measures are acceptable,
however, some are absolutely unacceptable. Let’s review some of the
acceptable measures first.
Acceptable:
- Temporarily tightened airport security, until practical, commonsense
long-term measures can be implemented.
- Giving law enforcement warrants that would enable them to track
suspected terrorists and their information exchanges through different
jurisdictions.
- Other information gathering techniques that target suspected
terrorists, without targeting citizens en masse.
UNacceptable:
- A National ID Card: Despite overwhelming public disapproval that
squelched the National ID in years past, it has now surfaced again. Rep.
Mary Bono (R-CA), Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-MO), and Rep.
George Gekas (R-PA) have all offered the National ID card as a possible
solution. Said Rep.
Bono with regard to the ID card: “I will always err on the side of
caution and err on the side of safety and security for our people.”
Apparently, with respect to the National ID card, Ms. Bono doesn’t want
to err on the side of liberty.
- Carnivore: The FBI’s email snooping system “Carnivore” is once
again rearing its ugly head. This monster would enable the FBI to snoop
around in every American’s email. Your personal messages to friends and
loved ones would no longer be personal.
- Confiscation: The assets of any foreign person, country or
organization accused (NOT convicted) of being linked to terrorist activity
could be confiscated.
- Violate Privacy and View Sensitive Information: Acquire the credit
card information and phone records of any American citizen. Also, the feds
would be permitted to monitor your bank transactions and computer use.
The terrorists score a huge victory if they force us to forego our
Constitutional rights to live free from the Federal government spying on
our every phone call, email, voice message, and expenditure. Benjamin
Franklin once said: “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a
little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” And that is
exactly what the debate is now on Capitol Hill—liberty vs. security.
Please read the “Action to Take” below, and help ensure the free
America we know and love remains that way.
**Action To Take**
1. Call your Representative and both of your Senators and urge them to
protect your liberty in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. Capitol
Hill House Switchboard: (202) 225-3121. Senate Switchboard: (202)
224-3121.
2. Call House Speaker Dennis Hastert and urge him to thwart any attempt
to infringe on the liberties of law-abiding Americans in a vain attempt to
gain security. Speaker Hastert: (202) 225-0600. Fax: (202) 225-7733.
3. Click here:
to send this urgent Action Alert to up to ten of your friends.
4. Hear a special presentation by Tom DeWeese. Go to www.americanpolicy.org
to listen to “Resolve!”—Tom DeWeese’s dramatic call to arms for
today’s generation of Americans.
