Post by AuntieSocial on Dec 12, 2003 20:01:12 GMT -5
I receive the ACLU Action Newsletter. In today's issue, there was the following "thank you" from the ACLU for the contributions their members, and others, have made to help protect civil liberties that were being threatened in Congress. The following is the text from the newsletter. Also included is a link to the ACLU Action page. I check this on a regular basis and try to post the relevant actions, however, I encourage everyone to look periodically. There are actions that are not specifically related to atheism that some of you may like to be involved with ...
[/li][li] Congress' decision to block the creation of a giant government computer system designed to compile and analyze personal information -- such as financial records, personal relationships and travel histories -- on every person in the United States.
[/li][li] The abandoning of provisions in the CARE Act that would have allowed for government-funded religious discrimination. Activists sent over 40,000 messages to Congress opposing this "faith-based" discrimination.
[/li][li] The decision not to introduce the proposed "PATRIOT Act II," which was due in part to the concern expressed in the more than 130,000 messages your Members of Congress received.
We've also been happy to see the introduction of positive and forward-thinking legislation that would protect many key rights and liberties. These measures have included:
[/li][li] The "Freedom to Read Protection Act," which would prevent government agents from accessing your library and bookstore records without proper and reasonable court approval.
[/li][li] The SAFE Act, which would roll back some of the PATRIOT Act's worst excesses.
The fight against the PATRIOT Act has grown into a substantial, nation-wide movement. Conservative organizations including the Eagle Forum, Gun Owners of America and the American Conservative Union have joined the ACLU and other organizations in the fight against several of its provisions. In addition, more than 220 communities across the country have enacted local resolutions calling for the protection of civil liberties. www.aclu.org/resolutions
In the coming weeks and months we will undoubtedly need to respond to several anti-civil liberty initiatives from Members of Congress. These might include the Victory Act -- a piece of legislation promoted by Attorney General Ashcroft that would further expand the Patriot Act's records-snooping authority, broaden immunity for federal agents engaged in illegal spying activities and resurrect dangerous asset forfeiture powers previously rejected by Congress.
We can also expect to see the Bush administration and its allies in Congress continue to push legislation such as the CLEAR Act and the so-called Federal Marriage Amendment. A vote on another constitutional amendment to bar "desecration" of the flag is also expected.
With your help, we've made great progress in our defense of civil liberties and we look forward to your continued support in making the voice for liberty heard in Congress. Please continue to take action on our weekly action alerts, and also visit our Action Center (www.aclu.org/action) to find out more about what you can do.
Thanks again for your commitment to your rights and civil liberties.[/quote]
From: Matt Howes, National Internet Organizer, ACLU
To: ACLU Action Network Members
Date: December 12, 2003
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for helping the ACLU make a real difference in defending civil liberties over the last year, and also to look ahead to some of the future challenges we'll face.
In the last session of Congress we've seen the introduction of some very dangerous and invasive pieces of legislation. Fortunately, in several cases, many of the worst provisions have been removed or the entire bill has been stopped thanks to the actions of concerned individuals like you. Although it may seem like a small step to send a fax or an email to your Members of Congress, your actions contribute to the overwhelming flood of concern that has made many Senators and Representatives re-examine their position on several key pieces of legislation.
Some of your successes include:
To: ACLU Action Network Members
Date: December 12, 2003
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for helping the ACLU make a real difference in defending civil liberties over the last year, and also to look ahead to some of the future challenges we'll face.
In the last session of Congress we've seen the introduction of some very dangerous and invasive pieces of legislation. Fortunately, in several cases, many of the worst provisions have been removed or the entire bill has been stopped thanks to the actions of concerned individuals like you. Although it may seem like a small step to send a fax or an email to your Members of Congress, your actions contribute to the overwhelming flood of concern that has made many Senators and Representatives re-examine their position on several key pieces of legislation.
Some of your successes include:
[/li][li] The abandoning of provisions in the CARE Act that would have allowed for government-funded religious discrimination. Activists sent over 40,000 messages to Congress opposing this "faith-based" discrimination.
[/li][li] The decision not to introduce the proposed "PATRIOT Act II," which was due in part to the concern expressed in the more than 130,000 messages your Members of Congress received.
We've also been happy to see the introduction of positive and forward-thinking legislation that would protect many key rights and liberties. These measures have included:
[/li][li] The "Freedom to Read Protection Act," which would prevent government agents from accessing your library and bookstore records without proper and reasonable court approval.
[/li][li] The SAFE Act, which would roll back some of the PATRIOT Act's worst excesses.
The fight against the PATRIOT Act has grown into a substantial, nation-wide movement. Conservative organizations including the Eagle Forum, Gun Owners of America and the American Conservative Union have joined the ACLU and other organizations in the fight against several of its provisions. In addition, more than 220 communities across the country have enacted local resolutions calling for the protection of civil liberties. www.aclu.org/resolutions
In the coming weeks and months we will undoubtedly need to respond to several anti-civil liberty initiatives from Members of Congress. These might include the Victory Act -- a piece of legislation promoted by Attorney General Ashcroft that would further expand the Patriot Act's records-snooping authority, broaden immunity for federal agents engaged in illegal spying activities and resurrect dangerous asset forfeiture powers previously rejected by Congress.
We can also expect to see the Bush administration and its allies in Congress continue to push legislation such as the CLEAR Act and the so-called Federal Marriage Amendment. A vote on another constitutional amendment to bar "desecration" of the flag is also expected.
With your help, we've made great progress in our defense of civil liberties and we look forward to your continued support in making the voice for liberty heard in Congress. Please continue to take action on our weekly action alerts, and also visit our Action Center (www.aclu.org/action) to find out more about what you can do.
Thanks again for your commitment to your rights and civil liberties.[/quote]
