The proposed Patriot Act II will destroy our liberty

Hallie Thomas

Hallie Thomas

Washington D.C. has produced a frightening sequel in the post-Sept.-11 frenzy. “Patriot Act II: The Final Reckoning.”

The “Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003” promises longer wire taps, fewer warrants, and the immediate expulsion of those pesky “terrorists.” Did I fail to mention that the Act also gives tax breaks to public officials to help curtail the extra expense of being a “target?”

Patriot Act II has been tucked away in a secret location for months, only to be leaked to the Center for Public Integrity last February.

If the act passes as is, it will become legal for the government to issue many forms of surveillance for longer periods of time without any court-issued warrant.

In times of national crisis or war, such orders can be issued for up to 15 days. POW! WAP! Take that civil rights and liberties!

Another fun feature of this national security blockbuster is a proposal to give the national government the power to revoke American citizenship from any person engaging in “terrorism” or supplying materials to “terrorist” organizations.

And since there is really no set definition of “terrorism” on the books, if you associate with any group classified as “unfriendly” by the powers that be, your citizenship can be taken away from you.

Gee! WOW! If I keep my mouth shut for the rest of my life, I’ll be safe forever, right, Mommy?!

The best part about this measure is that it flies in the face of the United States’s Supreme Court.

In the 1960s the court ruled in TROP vs. Dulles that “citizenship once conferred through birth or naturalization, may not be revoked unless it was obtained through fraud.”

Way to go Assistant Attorney General Viet Dinh, who spearheaded the drafting of the act, let’s screw judicial precedent!

So will the “Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003″make as big of a splash in the lives of American people as say, “Speed 2?”

I hope not.

I’d much rather watch contrived ultimatums made on a cruise ship.

Washington D.C. has produced a frightening sequel in the post-Sept.-11 frenzy. “Patriot Act II: The Final Reckoning.”

The “Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003” promises longer wire taps, fewer warrants, and the immediate expulsion of those pesky “terrorists.” Did I fail to mention that the Act also gives tax breaks to public officials to help curtail the extra expense of being a “target?”

Patriot Act II has been tucked away in a secret location for months, only to be leaked to the Center for Public Integrity last February.

If the act passes as is, it will become legal for the government to issue many forms of surveillance for longer periods of time without any court-issued warrant.

In times of national crisis or war, such orders can be issued for up to 15 days. POW! WAP! Take that civil rights and liberties!

Another fun feature of this national security blockbuster is a proposal to give the national government the power to revoke American citizenship from any person engaging in “terrorism” or supplying materials to “terrorist” organizations.

And since there is really no set definition of “terrorism” on the books, if you associate with any group classified as “unfriendly” by the powers that be, your citizenship can be taken away from you.

Gee! WOW! If I keep my mouth shut for the rest of my life, I’ll be safe forever, right, Mommy?!

The best part about this measure is that it flies in the face of the United States’s Supreme Court.

In the 1960s the court ruled in TROP vs. Dulles that “citizenship once conferred through birth or naturalization, may not be revoked unless it was obtained through fraud.”

Way to go Assistant Attorney General Viet Dinh, who spearheaded the drafting of the act, let’s screw judicial precedent!

So will the “Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003″make as big of a splash in the lives of American people as say, “Speed 2?”

I hope not.

I’d much rather watch contrived ultimatums made on a cruise ship.

Reach Hallie Thomas at [email protected].