Senator Rand Paul sent out this letter today to his colleagues in the US Senate. In the letter, he urges fellow senators to reexamine why they support the USA Patriot Act. It’s a dynamic letter that everyone should read but I will quote my favorite part.
“In the words of former Senator Russ Feingold, the only “no” vote against the original version of the PATRIOT Act,
“[T]here is no doubt that if we lived in a police state, it would be easier to catch terrorists. If we lived in a country that allowed the police to search your home at any time for any reason; if we lived in a country that allowed the government to open your mail, eavesdrop on your phone conversations, or intercept your email communications; if we lived in a country that allowed the government to hold people in jail indefinitely based on what they write or think, or based on mere suspicion that they are up to no good, then the government would no doubt discover and arrest more terrorists. But that probably would not be a country in which we would want to live. And that would not be a country for which we could, in good conscience, ask our young people to fight and die. In short, that would not be America.”
I call upon each of my Senate colleagues to seriously consider whether the time has come to re-evaluate many—if not all—provisions of the PATRIOT Act. Our oath to uphold the Constitution demands it.”
Full Letter Here.
You’re right, Mica–cooler and cooler every day!
I’m very proud of him!
Apparently, the Senate tried to pass a 3 year extension on unanimous consent last night after the House passed it, and Senator Paul’s objection stopped it and means it now has to go through the whole process. But the Senate goes on haitus after Friday and the provisions being extended lapse the following Monday, so they will try to get it through somehow this week.
I think it would be great if our Senators knew that the people stand behind Rand Paul in objecting to warrantless searches under the Patriot Act. If people agree, they can find information to contact their Senators, here: http://senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
And those of you from Kentucky, thank you for electing Senator Paul!