Dear Patriot,
Yesterday, former Reagan administration official Bruce Fein testified on behalf of Campaign for Liberty before the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security in a hearing aptly titled "USA PATRIOT Act: Dispelling the Myths."
Of course, the myths C4L came to dispel were not exactly the ones the Chairman, James Sensenbrenner, had in mind - namely that the act is "patriotic" and "constitutional."
Fein interacted with the committee members far more than any other witness, and the hearing even elicited a few unexpected statements from some members questioning the government's position.
Fein also reminded the Committee that after 10 years of living under the so-called "Patriot" Act, the burden of proof as to the necessity of these "investigative tools" lies with those who wish to infringe upon our liberties.
Of course, no such examples were presented.
The hearing allowed C4L a rare opportunity to place our objections to the "Patriot" Act into the congressional record.
Now that Congress has heard our criticisms, it must know you and I are taking action to back up our words.
This morning, at 10am, the full Judiciary Committee will hold a markup on H.R. 1800, a bill to extend the "any tangible thing/business records" provision and "roving wiretap authority" for six more years, while extending the so-called "lone wolf" provision permanently - even though the government claims it has never been used.
If your representative is on the Judiciary Committee, I encourage you to pick up the phone right away to urge them to vote against extending any provisions of the Fourth Amendment-shredding "Patriot" Act.
The three controversial provisions set to expire on May 27 are Section 215 (the "business records" provision that allows the government to gather "any tangible thing" without proving it's related to terrorist activities), Section 206, the "roving wiretap" provision, and Section 6001, the "lone wolf" provision.
You can reach the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Lamar Smith, at 202-225-4236. Please contact him before the hearing tomorrow to urge him to oppose any long-term or permanent extension of any provisions in the misnamed "Patriot" Act.
Click here to view the rest of the Judiciary Committee members.
Even if your representative is not on the Committee, please contact him or her to demand they vote against the Bill of Rights-destroying "Patriot" Act.
As Benjamin Franklin wisely stated, "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
It's time to show Congress we won't accept any further erosion of our freedoms.
Please take a moment to sign our Patriot's Petition that we'll fax to your representative. After you fill out your petition, please chip in $10 to help Campaign for Liberty continue to fight for total repeal of the so-called "Patriot" Act.
I'm convinced that the pressure from over half a million true patriots in C4L is what got us invited to the hearing today.
Together, we can continue to push the dialogue in our direction and toward a full repeal of the egregious "Patriot" Act - restoring our civil liberties once again.
In Liberty,
John Tate
President
P.S. Please sign our Patriot's Petition to repeal the "Patriot" Act, which we will fax to your representative. After you've signed your petition, please consider chipping in at least $10, or whatever you can afford, so C4L can turn up the heat on Congress.
