First they came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up. – Martin Niemoeller
Not satisfied with ripping the Constitution a new one with the USA PATRIOT Act, Ashcroft and Co. have been hard at work preparing some additional tools in the War On Terror.™ Calling it the “Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003,” a leaked copy of draft legislation to expand the Patriot Act has been posted by the non-partisan Center for Public Integrity. Last night it was featured on the PBS show NOW with Bill Moyers.
With thanks to TalkLeft, here are some of the highlights of the proposed extensions:
Keeping arrests secret and ignoring Freedom of Information Act requests
Section 201, “Prohibition of Disclosure of Terrorism Investigation Detainee Information”: Letting people know we’ve arrested someone might alert their coconspirators, so we should make sure to keep that secret and ignore Freedom of Information Act requests as long as possible.
Keeping the public in the dark about dangerous practices of chemical companies
Section 202, “Distribution of ‘Worst Case Scenario’ Information”: As provided for in the Clean Air Act, the EPA requires private companies that use potentially dangerous chemicals must produce a “worst case scenario” report detailing the effect that the release of these controlled substances would have on the surrounding community. The proposed extension says this is a “roadmap for terrorists” and so we shouldn’t require this information to be made public by certain companies in which the Vice President and his cronies have interest.
Creating another uber-database – this one collecting DNA information
Section 301-306,
Did you ping me because you wanted me to come and defend the opposite side of yours?
Dude, I am totally against the Patriot Act and I think the New York Sun was wronger than incest.
It was a combo shot. I was wondering how you’d feel (though I was pretty sure I knew), plus I thought it tied in with your Orange Level Threat post.
And, if I can’t use you to get more visitors, what the hell good are ya? ;p
I despise Ashcroft with every bone in my body, but I’d like to see something more than a “leaked” piece which may or may not be real.
If it’s not real, why did the DOJ respond to it as something they were working on, instead of denying it exists?
http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/03-082-opa.pdf
So far I haven’t come across any blogger who approves of this dreck. Including me, but I haven’t had time to blog much of anything useful… I shouldn’t even be putting this comment in… But I just wanted to drop you a shout-out to let you know even the rightwing jackbooted whipwielding warmongers are on your side on this one. (See, it’s all too reminiscent of GUN CONTROL!! Bwahahahahaha!)
I just pinged you, because you’re one of my favorite rightwing jackbooted whipwielding warmongers. I’m lonely and need e-mails… it’s pretty pathetic.
Well, I think the purpose of everyone being pinged would be to discuss this. This is absolutely terrifying! No matter which side of the fence we’re sitting on… that’s irrelevant right now: We’re still Americans.
One of the reasons I love this country so much is the fact that I can say “This is what sucks about this country…” without worrying about the Secret Service parked in my driveway. Now I’ll be aiding the terrorists when I call Ashcroft “a religious fruitcake”. (Do delete that when the law passes, won’t you?)
We really need some State Representatives and Senators with some backbone, and fast! I didn’t think for a minute that Patriot I was going to go through… yet it did, by playing on people’s fears and questioning their patriotism.
Amazing summary, Solonor.
Actually, kidding with Michele and Andrea aside, I wanted people to be pointed to other excellent posts related to this topic. Like yours. But, from the splash page on your site, you’re kinda incommunicado right now, eh?
I need to update the post to reflect what I was trying to do. Danke.
But, from the splash page on your site, you’re kinda incommunicado right now, eh?
well like I told you privately, I have my own private war to fight this weekend…
But the post about my thoughts on why we’re on Orange alert and the Patriot Act II is still alive, well & still functional.
I was in a hurry earlier today, so I didn’t go into the detail you did (besides, on dialup a 12MB pdf file would never make it through to me, I suspect), but I did talk about it a little. I’m glad e pointed me over here to see your remarks and the other pings.
I’m Australian and it even sickens me.
Tell me again why y’all voted for Shrub??
Sounds like the new version of the 10 Amendment Bill of Rights is dangerously close to being pared down to one. (That’d be the right to bear arms, folks.) Stay awake, people. More people than terrorists are intent on destroying our free way of life. So…
Something about a “slippery slope”….
Justice Dept. Drafts Sweeping Expansion of Anti-Terrorism Act: Center Publishes Secret Draft of
Great post, Solonor. Succinct and covers all the bases.
Scott stole my comment. Somebody report him to Ashcroft please.
Okay, I hate to sound like a Rush fan, but “Ditto!”
Great post, and pinging/linking other sites makes the information even more forceful.
Extending our freedom and democracy to the world…
The President uses the word “freedom” in almost every sentence in his speeches. The Patriot Act II currently in it’s
statement of record
In the past 24 hours I have received eight emails asking why I have not yet blogged about Patriot Act
statement of record
In the past 24 hours I have received eight emails asking why I have not yet blogged about Patriot Act
i spent alot of time reading thru the links to the patriot act and such last night.. whatever the reason for the pings i am thankful for the various links, knowledge and education is (in my opinion) the only way to make reasonable decisions and choices.
Er, Solonor…..why are there black helicopters following you???
This Is How I Spell Patriot
First they came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for
Ashcroft’s DSEA will give FBI unprecedented power.
As if we needed any more proof that John Ashcroft needs to be removed from his position as Attorney General before he does irreparable damaged to the Constitution, CNET.com writer Dean McCullagh fills us in on Ashcroft’s latest legislation: WASHINGTON-…
Hell, I’m just flattered someone bothered to ping me about anything at all. 🙂
I know I am a day late and a dollar short here but…
There’s a line missing form this quote. I find it interesting that this often is reprinted without the homosexual reference. The full text is as follow.
First They Came For . . .
by Reverend Martin Niemoeller
First they came for the communists,
And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
Then they came for the homosexuals,
And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a homosexual.
Then they came for the Jews,
And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics,
But I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
And there was no one left to speak up.
Reverend Niemoeller, a German Lutheran pastor, was arrested by the Gestapo and sent to Dachau in 1938. This was written upon his release by the Allied Forces in 1945.
Just dropped by to read and drop a HELLO!
So: HI!
How’re things?
Well, there’s egg and bacon; egg sausage and bacon; egg and spam; egg bacon and spam; egg bacon sausage and spam; spam bacon sausage and spam; spam egg spam spam bacon and spam; spam sausage spam spam bacon spam tomato and spam; spam spam spam egg and spam; spam spam spam spam spam spam baked beans spam spam spam; or Lobster Thermidor a Crevette with a mornay sauce served in a Provencale manner with shallots and aubergines garnished with truffle pate, brandy and with a fried egg on top and spam.
Blog Walk Part Two: Ninja Resurrection!
That Ninja comment has nothing to do with the blog walk. I just remembered as a child going with my buddies to see every single Sho Kosugi Ninja movie playing in town at the budget cinema. At one such screening…