Civil Liberties and the Hill |
Posted by FoM on September 20, 2001 at 22:08:50 PT Newsweek Exclusive By Eleanor Clift Source: Newsweek Magazine When Phyllis Schlafly and the ACLU agree, Attorney General John Ashcroft might want to pay attention. Groups on the right and the left want Congress to slow down in granting expanded law-enforcement powers to the federal government in the wake of the attacks on New York and Washington. With dozens of Osama bin Laden’s associates still at large in the United States and the country on a war footing, it takes a brave soul to stand in the way of anything that might make the country feel more secure. Ashcroft intiaitally wanted Congress to pass his anti-terrorism package by week’s end, but it wasn’t only liberal Democrats who had objections. House Republican leader Dick Armey emerged from a midweek meeting with Ashcroft and other congressional leaders openly cool to the rushed timetable. When reporters asked how long it would take to reach consensus for passage, Armey said several weeks. Ashcroft will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday to lobby for his proposals. The notion that the Senate would pass his package without debate, or even holding a hearing, is not the way Congress does business. Ashcroft can be forgiven for thinking he could skip the normal legislative process given the enormity of the events he is dealing with as the nation’s chief law-enforcement officer. But the coalition of groups and lawmakers who see themselves as protectors of civil liberties also got a wake-up call on that fateful Tuesday, and that is that they must maintain their vigilance in the face of almost overwhelming pressure to do otherwise in the name of national security. There are some things the administration and even staunch civil-libertarians in the Congress can agree upon. Topping the list is the need to update wiretap laws to accommodate cyberspace. The FBI already has the right to conduct “roving” wiretaps in criminal cases, meaning one court order allows them to tap not just one phone but a variety of telephonic and computer communications connected to an individual. Expanding that to intelligence gathering even when there is no evidence of a crime is a “no-brainer,” says an aide to Sen. Patrick Leahy, who chairs the Judiciary Committee. More than 40 government agencies have some jurisdiction over terrorism, and the result is that sometimes it feels like nobody’s in charge. A former Justice Department official finds it “appalling” that the U.S. “devotes more resources to defending our interests in the Pacific than in defending New York.” That’s about to change. “Homeland defense” is the new buzzword on Capitol Hill. For starters, Senate Intelligence Chairman Bob Graham of Florida has a bill that would establish a terrorism czar appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. In theory at least this person would ease the turf problems that currently exist between the FBI, CIA and Defense Departments, and treat terrorism more holistically. “When something blows up in the U.S., the natural response is for Justice and the FBI to step in, and it’s a crime scene,” says an Intelligence Committee aide. “Well, what if it’s a war scene? Did Scotland Yard investigate every bombing in London during World War II and put tape around it and declare it a crime scene. No.” The spirit of unity on Capitol Hill has had a few cracks, among them lawmakers ridiculing the Clinton administration for a 1995 CIA guideline restricting the recruitment of informers who are known felons or who have committed human-rights violations. The 1995 rule was in response to the revelation of a Guatemalan colonel on the CIA payroll being implicated in the murder of an American, and the cover-up that ensued. But contrary to the way this “dirty assets” guidelines have been portrayed, the CIA didn’t forbid employing unsavory characters to spy in foreign countries. It did ask that field agents get an OK from the higher-ups at Langley, in part for their own bureaucratic protection should questions arise later. A CIA spokesman says no request has ever been turned down in the area of counterterrorism. “It’s an urban legend that we only deal with the Little Sisters of the Poor,” he says. “We deal with lots of dirty people.” Still, critics contend the guidelines have had a chilling effect, and they are likely to be overturned or modified. Note: John Ashcroft’s antiterrorist package will face resistance from more than just liberal Democrats. Source: Newsweek Magazine Related Articles & Web Site: Holy Warriors Escalate an Old War FBI Tracking Terrorist Groups For Now, Security Trumps Liberties Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
Comment #18 posted by mayan on September 21, 2001 at 21:24:52 PT |
Don't be so sure they didn't Doug. They let Pearl Harbor happen didn't they? They are ten times more ruthless now. [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #17 posted by Doug on September 21, 2001 at 09:41:29 PT |
All of a sudden there is another war on Terrorism -- Operation Infinite Justice, because that is how long it will take -- and attempts to cut down on the freedoms that supposedly make America great. We are told that this is a unique moment in American history. But then why does it all seem so familar? We've had wars of terrorism before, and redcutions on civil liberties before, within the past 10 years. The 911 tragedy seems to be just an excuse for the Forces of Repression (for lack of a better term) to pass the laws that they've always wanted, whether or not the remedies they propose will have any positive effect on the problems they supposedly address. Thus the "Attack on America" is being used as an excuse, and since most everyone is living in a fear mode right now -- perpetuated by the media, as pointed out in other posts -- the country is prime for accepting repression. In some insane way, I'm sure the FoR feel that if 911 hadn't happened they'd need to invent it. [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #16 posted by Sudaca on September 21, 2001 at 09:16:33 PT |
I heard that the Comedy Central daily show had an emotional return where the anchor sort of slipped that the program was no longer in full free speech mode. Apparently he was looking off to the side as he was letting it all out and whenhe finished that comment it was with hope that things will return to their normal affairs. the next pieces seem to be handpicked once again, to stir the emotions that TV has been working hard to maintain. Did anyone see this? [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #15 posted by dddd on September 21, 2001 at 08:30:30 PT |
National Propaganda Radio......NPR is sponsored by GE nowdays...there is not much "Public" remaining..dddd [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #14 posted by Silent_Observer on September 21, 2001 at 08:02:06 PT |
Even C-SPAN radio seems to be caving in..the only place I can get another perspective now is Pacifica Radio; and who knows how long that will last. [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #13 posted by theropinfool on September 21, 2001 at 07:18:11 PT |
The media reporting of the WTC massacre is obscene, to say the least.
If terrorists would take out ABC, NBC, PBS, CBS, CNN and especially Fox News,
I would consider it worthwhile. God, it is bad.
I won't go there anymore. I'll take freedom to guarantee security. Depending on government assurances is crazy. God help us ALL. [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #12 posted by Silent_Observer on September 21, 2001 at 06:50:51 PT |
The lack of dissension is disturbing indeed. [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #11 posted by dddd on September 21, 2001 at 06:15:24 PT |
...It's becoming really obvious,how the media is being used as a tool to market,and promote the so called "war"......Talk of terrorist "threats",and additional attacks are 99% raw bullshit.This whole campaign is modeled after the war on drugs....To scare up public support,tall tales are being leaked into the media by a source with the same agenda as the ondcp program of manipulation through lies,and exagerations...In fact,I'll bet you many of the same PR firms are being employed to design the same grand deceptions that made the war on drugs,what it is today...I'll say it again,,this is a "war",that is being carefully created through complete control of the media....Even Bill Maher has become a sickening parrot of the big lie.Disney writes his paychecks,,they own ABC.
The prezidunts speech was INSANE.....near zero dissenting views,or critisms have been aired.The major networks all followed the same script...I cant believe it,,and I think it is a LIE,to suggest that there is a majority who support the prez,or his absurd,scripted "war".This deception would not be possible without the full support of the media........ Then again,,,maybe I'm the only one who cannot believe the bizarreness.... This is an absolute fake-out circus of a false corporate government creation. dddd [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #10 posted by kaptinemo on September 21, 2001 at 05:25:10 PT:
|
Let's see: Since the 1980's, we've given a lot of money (total amount unknown, as it was classified) to people who we knew traditionally were drug traffickers; the Golden Crescent region of Asia has long been known for it. Afghanistan, the NorthWest Territories of Pakistan, all known for opiate production and smuggling. We did this to fight Soviet expansionism. All manner of sophisticated weaponry was given to people who were, in effect, criminals. Should it also be called a "No-brainer" that they would eventually return to their criminal ways...and have those "Dirty People" use their US-supplied weapons and training against us? If you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas. The US is in dire need of a flea collar, Advantage flea-killer applied at the base of the neck, and sheepdip because of it's 'deal with the Devil'. And now the intel agencies and their apologists are crying in their beer because they have to consort with yet another set of "Dirty People" to fight the previous set of "Dirty People"? Will we ever effin' learn?
[ Post Comment ] |
Comment #9 posted by The GCW on September 21, 2001 at 04:36:09 PT |
Chineese made American flags... stop and wonder... Here is a post for American HEMP flags. If anyone knows of Hemp Bibles, especially in the New American Standard Bible, version, let me know. [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #8 posted by Dan B on September 21, 2001 at 04:03:38 PT:
|
I realize that when I say "my predictions," I am really referring to predictions I made in response to a specific article, and those predictions were informed by lessons learned from people who are likely better informed than me--Lehder, kaptinemo, observer, etc. Dan B [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #7 posted by Dan B on September 21, 2001 at 04:01:09 PT:
|
I've been wanting some information on Thomas Ridge, and was in fact going to use some of my free time this weekend to look him up, but you have already provided us with Exhibit A. I appreciate it. It seems like maybe my predictions on the whole war on terrorism/some drugs angle might be coming to fruition in some capacity after all. God (I am speaking figuratively here, but you can take it literally if you want to) help us if they do. Dan B [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #6 posted by Lehder on September 21, 2001 at 03:19:57 PT |
He likes using the military to fight the scourge of drugs: http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Military_Affairs/PAO/pr/DRUGAWAR.html [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #5 posted by dddd on September 21, 2001 at 02:32:14 PT |
Well done.......One minor correction though,,,,I believe it was Barry McGuire....I noticed because,one time this guy named Bobby McGuire tried to beat me up ,back in the fifth grade,and he was not the type of guy to write songs..... .Keep on keepin' on brother dddd [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #4 posted by freedom fighter on September 21, 2001 at 01:21:26 PT |
The western world
It exploded
Rage flared
Bullets loaded
China made America flags
I am scared because my friend Caleb already join the army
Old enuff to vote and kill
I do believe in war
but that's the gun you are totin'
And even the Dead sea got bodies sinking But I tell Grandma Prohibitionist over and over and over again, Ah you do'nt believe we're on the eve of false love Don't you understand what I'm trying to say? Can't you feel the love I'm feeling today? If the button pushed, there is noone to run away, There'll be no Grandma Prohibitonist to save With the world already in a grave, Take a look around you, girl, It's bound to make you fall in false Love, girl. And you tell me over and over and over again my friend Ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of false love. Yeah, my blood's so frozen, Feels like so frozen, I'm sitting here, Just so scared, I can't twist the truth, It knows all regulations, Handful of sinators passsing rules, And marches been done When human respect is intergrating to into false sense of freedom, This whole crazy world is just too sad, And you tell me over and over and over again my friend, Ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of false love. Think of all the hate There is in Red China! Making our red,blue,white flags Then take a look around To Ariziona Ah, you may leave here, For four days in peace, But when your back it's the different old place, The pounding of the bombs, The pride and disgrace, you can bury your living, But don't leave a fingerprint, Love your next-door-neighbor But forget to say grace, And tell me over and over and over again my friend, You don't believe we're on the eve of false love. ff (A remake of Bobby McGuire's Eve of Destruction) [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #3 posted by Rambler on September 21, 2001 at 00:33:32 PT |
SHANGHAI -- As America wraps its wounds in red, white and blue, flag factories in China are running nonstop to feed the overwhelming demand in the United States for the Stars and Stripes.
At the Shanghai Mei Li Hua Flags Co., office director Wu Guomin has received orders for more than 500,000 flags from customers in the United States in the week since the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. "I guess because we make so many of these things you could say we feel a little closer to the situation there," Wu said as he fingered an American flag. "We're working day and night." ...There's something kind of strange and spooky about waving around a Chinese made American flag. [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #2 posted by dddd on September 20, 2001 at 22:34:37 PT |
The McGlaughlin group,,Eleanor Clift.At least she's asking a few questions in a national publication.... ..better than nuthin' dddd [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #1 posted by E_Johnson on September 20, 2001 at 22:13:16 PT |
When Phyllis Schlafly and the ACLU agree, you call 911 and tell them you're hallucinating and need to be hospitalized. [ Post Comment ] |
Post Comment | |