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Sept. 15, 2006 Congress is debating the particulars on a piece of legislation directed toward elaborating on the Patriot Act. It is called the USA Bill. Items under the most contention are those surrounding the warrant less wiretaps, the use or not use of classified information during terror trials for the defense, and treatment of terror suspects. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) is against this expansion of the Patriot Act via the USA Act saying that the current legislation provides some privacy rights for terrorists and the Bush version will strip those right away. (McCullaugh, D., 2006) In addition to those bones of contention the USA Act also addresses issues such as trade sanctions, border control, funding for INS, and a foreign fingerprint ID system. Specter said that Congress should not rush this bill just because the president is pressuring them. He feels more time needs to be taken prior to passing this bill. He stressed that they (congress) should conduct hearings to clarify certain issues and formalize this act. Bush has vowed to stop legislation that does not meet his needs or undermines his wishes. He wants gross latitude with regard to what US interrogators can do to terror suspects, he wants the ability to detain terror suspects indefinitely, he wants to withhold classified evidence from the defense counsel in trials of suspected terrorists, legalization of his warrant less wiretapping program, and unilateral use of our military troops (a form of backdoor draft). Colin Powell, former Secretary of the State, was outspoken and firm in his disagreement with Bush stating that "the world is beginning to doubt our moral basis for this fight against terror." Furthermore, Powell feels that the Bush plan will harm our country and weaken our ability to deal fairly with other countries under the regulations and rules set forth in the Geneva Convention should we war in the future. (Flaherty, A., 2006) Condi Rice rushed to support Bush saying that his plan will “add meaningful clarification and definition to vague terms of treaties”. Reading between the lines the meaning here is that this new plan will purposefully undermine and give special powers not currently available under the Geneva Convention. (Flaherty, A., 2006) Feingold said that the duty of congress is to uphold the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights and felt that to erode either would lose this war on terror. Contrary to that belief, Bush said that the duty of congress is to protect America and combat terrorism using any tools necessary. (McCullagh, D., 2006) Feingold ask to set limits in the use of warrant less wiretaps that ensure listening is only done so when the suspect is on the phone. He wanted to preserve the privacy rights of all with regard to medical and educational records. The USA Act allows police to obtain any information they deem necessary. (McCullagh, D., 2006) Under the USA Act libraries, universities, and employers can monitor anyone using their computers at any time. Feingold’s version allows doing so under very narrow circumstances. (McCullagh, D., 2006) Feingold’s plan also suggests that police should not eavesdrop without warrants, cannot search and seize personal property without notifying the suspect of their doing so. Leahy and Hatch strongly concur. This part was not introduced under the Senates version, but is of genuine concern to democrats and republicans alike. (McCullagh, D., 2006) The House votes today. Where this will go in anyone’s guess, but if Bush is allowed to have his way then the entire world should cower in fear because there will be no checks and balances on the executive branch of our government and this is a very dangerous precedent to set. I urge you to call or write you local and state congress people to let them know we, the people of the United States , do not favor Bush’s plan. In fact if he is given his way we have no alternative other than to begin impeachment hearings to preserve and protect all of our rights afforded under the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Reference: http://leahy.senate.gov http://articles.news.aol.com, Flaherty, Anne Plummer (September 15, 2006) AP, “Senate Panel Defies Bush on Detainee Bill-Powell Speaks Out Against Presidents Plan”, Washington, D.C. http://wired.com, McCullagh, Declan (September 12, 2006) “Terror Bill Clears Senate”, Washington, D.C. ------------ About the author: Michelle Malsbury was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois. Currently she resides in Florida. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Management and a Masters Degree in Business Management. She has just been accepted into Doctoral College and will begin that three year journey in the fall of 2006. She plans to write her dissertation on "The Economic Feasibility and Sustainability of Alternative Fuel Sources". Travels have taken her from Europe through the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and across much of the United States. She is joint founder of the Apalachicola Yacht Club (AYC) and holds the post of secretary/treasurer. For the AYC she drafted the Constitution and Bylaws outlining membership rules, regulations, and guidelines. She enjoys outdoor activities like sailing, water-skiing, hiking, bike riding, working out, and fishing as well as reading, music, theatre, playing with her two amusing pets (Abu Chez, her 7.5 year old Australian Blue Heeler and Zack, her three year old yellow tabby cat) and writing. "Three Years With Adonis" is the first to be published of several books that she has written. It is now available in all the better bookstores, but can also be found and ordered at Amazon.com, Booksamillion.com, Barnesandnoble.com, or ordered directly from her web sites, www.3yearswithadonis.com, www.threeyearswithadonis.com, or www.MichelleMalsbury.com. In addition to "Three Years With Adonis", she has authored four other books and three screenplays while continuing to explore all that life hands her. Email Michelle Malsbury: zackywacks@aol.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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