Move To Overhaul The Patriot Act Is Picking Up Steam
By Ian Bishop
The effort comes after widespread protests of Attorney General John Ashcroft's recent multicity tour to defend the new law.
The law has been denounced by three state Legislatures, 170 communities and numerous library associations.
"The expansion of the government's powers to monitor what citizens read is un-American," Olver said. "Americans need the assurance that they can seek information and read whatever they want without Big Brother looking over their shoulder.
"This bill would return some of the safeguards that were in place before passage of the Patriot Act a year ago," he added.
Olver, who was honored last Monday by the ACLU for voting against the Patriot Act, said: "Congress has a responsibility to ensure that our law enforcement authorities have the power to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in terrorist activities. However, certain provisions of the Patriot Act allow law enforcement authorities to violate legally the civil liberties of innocent American citizens."
At least 16 conservative Republicans are supporting the bill the Freedom to Read Protection Act to prevent federal agents from accessing records from libraries and bookstores without probable cause, which is now possible under the law.
Ashcroft has dismissed the outcry of concern from librarians and civil libertarians as "baseless hysteria."
"On this and every other tool provided in the Patriot Act, charges of abuse of power are ghosts, unsupported by fact or example," Ashcroft said during a recent speech.
In a recently declassified memo to FBI Director Robert Mueller, Ashcroft states that the powers to spy on library or bookstore patrons have not been used.
"I would have to question that document," said Rep. Butch Otter, R-Idaho, a supporter of Rep. Bernard Sanders' bill, who said confirming Ashcroft's claim is impossible. "How would you know? Librarians are forbidden to tell anyone (when federal agents access records under the law). It would be a violation of the law."
Emily Sheketoff, the executive director of the American Library Association, said that if federal agents have never used the provision within the law as Ashcroft claims, they shouldn't mind relinquishing the power.
Otter said it's unfair to blame Ashcroft or the Bush administration for championing a law intended to enhance America' fight on terrorism.
"We failed," Otter said. "It is now our responsibility to retract those powers we gave."
Sanders, I-Vt., said the present law is an attack on the Bill of Rights and weakens oversight of the Justice Department.
"History has shown repeatedly that as Americans we must be diligent to prevent abuses of power by federal authorities," said Sanders, recalling the circumstances leading to President Richard Nixon's resignation.
Sanders' bill is currently before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. Sanders and his supporters are urging a committee vote prior to Friday, Congress' scheduled adjournment for the year. A committee vote would enable lawmakers to act quickly on the House floor when they resume work in January.
---
Bill Brennick Webdood at brennick dot com Ulver_goth at yahoo dot com http://www.brennick.com/
Death to the New World Order!
Long Live the Freedom Fighters!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------