You'd think that headlines like this would make me happy…
FBI abuses may lead to Patriot Act limits
After all, I've been vocal about my opposition to this attack on the Constitution and civil liberties almost from it's inception (and god knows, I'm not alone in that!).
But what disgusts me, more than the thought that it's taken this long for someone in Congress to even TALK about doing something about this Act, is the fact the people are acting surprised by these revelations.
(And don't even get me started on our Attorney General's outrage and criticism of the FBI. With the revelations coming out this week about his involvement in the firing of federal prosecutors, he doesn't get to take the moral high ground with anyone.)
Let's face it, right now. We've got NO right to be surprised:
So we don't get to act surprised. We don't get to be horrified that the FBI abused it's power. We need to accept the fact that our leaders acted out of fear (of terrorists; of the retaliation of their—or their opposing—party; of losing their position due to the fearful reaction of the people of this country) and passed legislation abhorrent to the foundation of this country, legislation that enabled the abuses they're currently so worked up about.
And then we have to do something about it. For those sufficiently motivated, you can start here:
ACLU Reform the patriot act
FBI abuses may lead to Patriot Act limits
After all, I've been vocal about my opposition to this attack on the Constitution and civil liberties almost from it's inception (and god knows, I'm not alone in that!).
But what disgusts me, more than the thought that it's taken this long for someone in Congress to even TALK about doing something about this Act, is the fact the people are acting surprised by these revelations.
(And don't even get me started on our Attorney General's outrage and criticism of the FBI. With the revelations coming out this week about his involvement in the firing of federal prosecutors, he doesn't get to take the moral high ground with anyone.)
Let's face it, right now. We've got NO right to be surprised:
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?If the Roman's were asking this question nearly 20 centuries ago, then how the hell can we be surprised that our contemporary watchmen need watching? The concept that "Power Corrupts" (and absolute power corrupts absolutely) may not have the same pedigree, but it doesn't need any translation and it's been around for centuries. The reason checks and balances were built into the Constitution in the first place is because the "founding fathers" had experienced, first hand, abuses of power by their king and government.
So we don't get to act surprised. We don't get to be horrified that the FBI abused it's power. We need to accept the fact that our leaders acted out of fear (of terrorists; of the retaliation of their—or their opposing—party; of losing their position due to the fearful reaction of the people of this country) and passed legislation abhorrent to the foundation of this country, legislation that enabled the abuses they're currently so worked up about.
And then we have to do something about it. For those sufficiently motivated, you can start here:
ACLU Reform the patriot act
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