if only the USA PATRIOT ACT was more patriotic

[happening fish]

uh it wasn't a plug for solar energy, i just thought it was a funny strip

[mosaik]

it was funny.

[happening fish]

http://www.mnftiu.cc/mnftiu.cc/images/war.141.gif

[joe_canadian]

Food for thought. From the radicalacademy.comn newsletter.

Grassroots Effort Creates "Civil Liberties Safety Zones" Across U.S.

In an inspiring grassroots effort, freedom-loving Americans from across the political spectrum are joining together to stand up for the Bill of Rights and halt the new wave of draconian federal restrictions on civil liberties.

Over 70 towns and cities -- representing over 5.5 million Americans -- have officially declared their opposition to the police-state USA PATRIOT Act and similar measures, in strong and explicit terms.

They have done so by passing resolutions declaring themselves "Civil Liberties Safe Zones" and demanding protection for the Bill of Rights freedoms of their residents.

They have been joined by the Hawaii and New Mexico Houses of Representatives, who have also passed bills supporting Bill of Rights freedoms and explicitly declaring opposition to elements of the USA PATRIOT Act.

Over 100 more such efforts are in progress, and many more are expected. A national effort to encourage this is being led by the Bill of Rights Defense Committee.

These resolutions are more than merely symbolic actions. As the New York Times has noted, some of them "provide some legal justification for local authorities to resist cooperating in the federal war on terrorism when they deem civil liberties and Constitutional rights are being compromised."

The effort began as many citizens became alarmed by the hastily-passed USA PATRIOT Act, which dramatically expanded the spy powers of the federal government in what many feel is an unconstitutional manner. Millions of Americans are concerned about increased government surveillance, new federal detention powers, secret monitoring of innocent citizen groups, new laws concerning phone tapping and Internet spying, and similar powers given to the federal government in the panic following September 11.

The love of liberty that is at the heart of America can be heard in many of these resolutions.

The Boulder City Council resolution "affirms that any efforts to end terrorism not be waged at the expense of essential civil rights and liberties of the people of Boulder, the United States and the World."

Flagstaff Arizona City Council member Art Babbott, sponsor of the resolution that passed in that city, said it very nicely: "We've been singing the same song in this country for more than 200 years. It's a very good song, and I want to keep singing it. I'm very leery of changing the lyrics."

The Bill of Rights Defense Committee says that the grassroots effort is having an effect on federal legislators, encouraging some to begin to propose legislation to restore civil liberties repealed or threatened by the USA PATRIOT Act and similar repressive measures.

More information on the "Civil Liberties Safety Zone" movement, how-to tips, media coverage of the phenomenon, and related matters can be found at the Bill of Rights Defense Committee web site.

[call me andrew]

you know i was talking to my mother and her co-workers about the USA PATRIOT ACT and they didnt believe that it even existed.

[Corey]

I applaud the efforts of those towns.

[soccerchick]

For those of you who think that us Canadians are anti-American, I'd like to point out that most of us are more anti-human and civil rights violations than anything. It just happens that the American government is propagating many of them right now - from firing upon a peaceful protest in Iraq (note that there is no evidence that the Iraqis fired on the Americans) to the violations occuring in its own country (à la USA PATRIOT Act).

And I find it hard to believe that anybody could defend even the principles of the Patriot Act and still call themselves believers in human and civil rights.

[Bandalero]

ok, if we are anti-human in so many ways.....all two of them, then don't just point us out of the list, cause there is a list. Israel, and China are on that list to, so point out their actions. (many already have pointed out Israel)

[soccerchick]

Nobody denies that other countries are rights violators. I think everybody on this board would agree to that. However, the States is commiting these violations NOW, and thus should be subject to scrutiny.
And if other countries are commiting atrocities that you (or others) would like to comment on, please do. I'm sure the discussion will be invigorating.
Of course, the "everybody's doing it" defense isn't going to work in any situation.

[Bandalero]

China is enforceing a one child per couple law today!....is this not humane? it is happening right now so yeah let's talk about it. you want to look at history? every country has done something that by today's standards are inhumane. but look at today's standards. everything is so damn sterile and PC correct that no matter what a country does it's humane.

[happening fish]

i'm going to assume you meant inhumane. and the one child law is a toughy and i know that kids get abandoned because of it, but i think it is justified considering the extreme situation that country is facing population-wise.

[Bandalero]

but then you have the problem of enforeing it, and the government picking up children that are abandoned. hos is that saving money and helping these people?

[happening fish]

i didn't say it was saving money, i said that they have a huge problem with the population and this justifies extreme measures such as that law.

[Corey]

hmmm... so the end justifies the means? It's ok to take away civil liberties if it for the greater good right? So why oppose the USA PATRIOT act if that is its purpose?

[Bandalero]

i didn't say it was saving money, i said that they have a huge problem with the population and this justifies extreme measures such as that law.

that's true, however do you know the end result of a situation like this? war. when people are desperate and need food, space, money, for their starving people, they fight and try to take over whoever is bountiful. in a way i'm kind of glad that they are doing this, to prevent war, but at the same time i think there could be a better way then forcing every couple to one kid.

[I AM ME]

i think american's are taking this teh worng way, us canadians (in general) don't "hate" americans, many of are relatives happen to BE american, we just have a strong sence of morals, and we hate war and suffering. We take the help the people route not, take control and do it our way approach, and as for the tension before the war, it is largely due to Arrogance and Extreme Patriotism, we don't hate americans themselevs only arrogent ones, or the ones that due to there extreme patriotism believe themselves to be better then others. It is fine to be patriotic but when it's extreme in tne presence of a foriegn person it is almost offencive.

[Corey]

come on man, don't try and sound like canadians are shiny happy people with strong morals and the US has no concept of humanity. We are two of a kind. US = Canada, Canada = US. All that separates us is an imaginary border. You support your state and we support ours. The people underneath it are the same. All of the shady practices in Canada are defended by Canadians just the same. Americans and Canadians are no different.