[Peace-discuss] Fwd: FCNL: Curb Expansion of USA Patriot Act (2/13/03)

Fri Feb 14 15:52:52 CST 2003

>Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 09:34:09 -0500 (EST)
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>Subject: FCNL: Curb Expansion of USA Patriot Act (2/13/03)
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>FCNL LEGISLATIVE ACTION MESSAGE - February 13, 2003
>
>The following action items from the Friends Committee on National
>Legislation (FCNL) focus on federal policy issues currently before Congress
>or the Administration.
>
>TOPICS: CURB EXPANSION OF USA PATRIOT ACT; FCNL CONFERENCE CALL ON IRAQ
>
>CURB EXPANSION OF USA PATRIOT ACT.  On Feb. 7, 2003, the Center for Public
>Integrity (CPI) released a leaked, confidential copy of Bush Administration
>draft legislation called the  "Domestic Security Enhancement Bill of 2003."
>This draft bill has been under refinement by the Justice Department as a
>follow-up of the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001.  Among its provisions, the draft
>bill would further expand law enforcement and intelligence gathering
>authority, further reduce or eliminate judicial oversight over spying,
>authorize secret arrests and detentions, create a DNA database for
>"suspicious" persons, apply the death penalty in new situations, and allow
>the Administration to strip citizenship by mere inference of the
>individual's association with terrorists.  The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001,
>which included unprecedented limitations on civil liberties, was passed at a
>time of crisis, fear, and confusion created by the September 11 attacks and
>the anthrax contamination of Senate offices.  Congress must not let such a
>climate cloud its judgment again.  Congress must reclaim and exercise its
>full oversight responsibility and deliberative processes to protect civil
>liberties and human rights from further erosion.
>
>ACTION: Please call, email, or fax your Representative and Senators today.
>Urge them to oppose the repressive measures contained in the draft "Domestic
>Security Enhancement Act of 2003" or similar legislation by another name,
>including enhanced surveillance of law abiding citizens, new death penalty
>provisions, new limitations on the freedom of association and speech, secret
>arrests and detention, and even a revised standard for expatriation.  These
>provisions must be comprehensively reviewed by both the House and the Senate
>through public hearings and full congressional debate.
>
>Numerous provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 have resulted in
>unprecedented erosions of civil liberties and human rights.  Let your
>legislators know that the Administration's draft follow-up legislation to
>the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 gives Congress a fresh opportunity to exercise
>oversight and proper governance, and to mitigate and reverse previous
>inroads into our civil liberties and human rights.
>
>MAKE COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS EASIER: It is easy to send
>email or faxes.  Start with the sample letter posted in our Legislative
>Action Center, personalize the language, then email or fax your message
>directly from our site.  You can also print it out and mail it.  To view the
>sample letter, click on the link below, then enter your zip code and click
><Go> in the <Take Action Now> box.  Here is the link:
>http://capwiz.com/fconl/issues/alert/?alertid=1427181&type=CO
>
>BACKGROUND: Feb. 7, the Center for Public Integrity (CPI) posted a copy of a
>previously unknown draft Justice Department bill, called the "Domestic
>Security Enhancement Act of 2003," and labeled "Draft Confidential."  That
>night, the draft bill was publicized on PBS' "Now with Bill Moyers" during
>an interview between Bill Moyers and Charles Lewis, head of CPI.  Reaction
>from civil liberties advocates has been swift and unequivocal: numerous
>provisions of this draft bill represent further dramatic erosions of civil
>liberties and human rights.  Commentators refer to this draft bill as
>"Patriot II," the long-anticipated follow-up legislation to  the USA PATRIOT
>Act of 2001.  The draft legislation appears to be in an advanced stage of
>preparation, although in recent months Administration sources have
>repeatedly deflected inquiries from congressional aides and committee staff.
>
>The draft "Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003" would increase secret
>surveillance; increase control over immigrants; establish new crimes,
>criminal procedures, and sanctions; name new crimes for which the death
>penalty can be imposed; grant the Administration right to autopsy without
>permission in cases of "deadly crimes;" establish a new terrorist-related
>DNA database; allow removal of citizenship upon inference of association
>with or support for  "terrorist organizations;" allow extradition without
>treaty; and give the Administration greatly expanded discretion in
>deportation matters.
>
>To read a copy of the Administration's draft "Domestic Security Enhancement
>Act of 2003," click here: http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/lewis.html
>For additional background material, click here:
>http://www.fcnl.org/issues/immigrant/sup/patriot-2_tlkpts.htm
>
>FCNL CONFERENCE CALL ON IRAQ: On Sunday, Feb. 16 at 5 PM (EST), FCNL will
>hold a conference call to answer your questions about the threat of war
>against Iraq and to help you gear up for the work ahead. There will be a
>congressional staff member as a resource person and FCNL staff, including
>Executive Secretary Joe Volk. If you would like to participate, call
>1-800-283-1693 a few minutes before 5 PM (EST) on Sunday. Ask for the FCNL
>conference call.
>
>Do you have other friends in your community who want to join in? If so,
>think about having a joint call around a speaker phone in your kitchen or
>living room. That way more lines will be available for others to call in.
>
>CONTACTING LEGISLATORS:
>
>Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 or 800-839-5276
>
>Sen. ________
>U.S. Senate
>Washington, DC 20510
>
>Rep. ________
>U.S. House of Representatives
>Washington, DC 20515
>
>Information on your members is available on the web:
>http://capwiz.com/fconl/dbq/officials/directory/directory.dbq
>
>CONTACTING THE ADMINISTRATION:
>
>White House Comment Desk: 202-456-1111
>FAX: 202-456-2461
>E-MAIL: president at whitehouse.gov
>WEB PAGE: http://www.whitehouse.gov
>
>President George W. Bush
>The White House
>Washington, DC 20500
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