Patriot Act II
Sorry, Im not going to let this one die. I am still incensed by the uncivil liberties the Administration took in passing the Patriot Act II. There is something fundamentally wrong about taking away the right for due process without due process, of taking civil liberties away without civic debate and of being able to subpoena your library records with an act that doesn't show up in your public library.
Mark points to a scathing analysis by the EFF, of last year's bill, but that's last year's bill.
Bless the EFF, because otherwise, as Pierre points out, we only have this so-called "statement" and shrouded text to go on. The act provides a $40 billion spending package and some would like to know what its for. We simply don't have any analysis of this law yet. Wendy?
Patriot Act II has still yet to be covered by the mainstream media (except brief AP mentions in a legislation round-up and on federalization trend), and, for that matter, the alternative media. It is one of the top 10 Moronic Stories of 2003, one of 10 good things and an Upside of 2003, but event the morons and dissidents of the alternative press don't know that despite the public uproar that prevented it from being passed before, they went ahead and made it law. Maybe the Celebs are paying attention. Normally I wouldn't quote these as sources, but I don't have much to go on. Is it simply that now that our rights have been taken away we don't feel like fighting for them?
I wonder if perhaps the blogosphere could make a concerted effort to push this story? Kind of like the Trent Lott story where the "mainstream" media studiously ignored it but bloggers pushed it until it had to get picked up. People like Joshua Marshall and Andrew Sullivan are widely read, and I think some kind of blog-driven effort could really make a difference.
Maybe even get the Democratic candidates to promise to repeal this and promise not to sign major civil libertise legislation on Saturdays. They might listen - Dean even guest-blogged at Lessig.
Also, there is this: http://www.paydemocracy.com/campaigns/1030
(full disclosure I am from PayDemocracy)
Posted by: Chad Williams | January 02, 2004 at 08:38 PM
Chad, I like your push reference. Maybe all of us "knitters and daters" can get our blogs togehter and "remake democracy itself". haha.
Posted by: Lance | January 03, 2004 at 01:37 AM
Manual trackback:
Make some Blois (Blog Noise) and link to this post to give it lift.
40 Billion for Stealth Patriot II (Also, to get the confusion out regarding last year's leaked Patriot Act II and this year's bill, let's call the actual bill what it is: "Stealth Patriot Act II")
Posted by: Mark | January 04, 2004 at 09:45 AM
Tom Ridge was talking this morning about our move toward more standard international identification documents that are computer-readable and contain biometric markers, such as digital fingerprints. It's just a matter of time before we're all under house arrest.
Posted by: Mark Maynard | January 05, 2004 at 10:21 AM
Wake up Americans. It may already be too late to save the nation.
Posted by: Mark White | January 05, 2004 at 02:41 PM
What a fucked up world. To be frank, I didn't bother blogging about this when I first heard the news, because I figured it'd spread like wildfire anyway. Apparently I was wrong. So now I have.
Posted by: Nicholas Liu | January 06, 2004 at 08:42 AM
Anyone interested in dispelling accusations and disinformation regarding the Patriot Act II, you can join a group of us who are in the beginning stages of deciphering this new 'Act'... You can contact me at abelair@charter.net...
Posted by: Art Belair | January 17, 2004 at 04:16 PM
We just put up a ton of info about it, and have another round coming in a day or two:
http://www.americaforsale.org/patriot2.php
Posted by: sean bonner | January 27, 2004 at 09:12 AM
sigla mag on the patriot act, among other things: http://www.siglamag.com/features/0411/AnyoneButBush.php
Posted by: fmk | November 05, 2004 at 02:00 PM
if the patriot act become law whats next laws that are classified them selves so combined with the idea that Ignorance of the law is no excuse breaking the law now anyone can be areasted for anything in the name of national security
http://quotes.ibnerd.net/politicalquotes_1.html
After 9/11, Bush made two statements: "Terrorists hate America because America is a land of freedom and opportunity." and "We intend to attack the root causes of terrorism." ..Sounds like everything is going according to plan.
Posted by: tom | November 30, 2005 at 07:47 PM