Two who didn't get away - The Washington Times: Commentary
Justice Department officials both in D.C. and San Diego say the Patriot Act provision that allows information that has been gathered in intelligence investigations to be shared with criminal investigators was particularly helpful here.
Candidates arguing against the Patriot Act (which many of them voted for) really need to remember what happened on 9/11. There may be some flaws to the act but treating it like it's something horrible is very wrong-headed.
Posted by Tim at April 17, 2004 08:37 AMre: " There may be some flaws to the act but treating it like it's something horrible is very wrong-headed." (trogers)
I agree with you. There's a price to freedom from crime and terrorism, and it's finding the proper mix of civil liberty and governmental control. The Patriot Act is something I think we will probably need to constantly revisit to assure it's not overly restrictive.
It's interesting this is an issue, like the federal deficit, where some on the left and right, such as the ACLU and NRA, seem to unite to find the most fault with President Bush and Attorney General Ashcroft.
My quibble? I don't like the name "Patriot Act." A little creepy and Orwellian for my taste. So if you have disagreements with it, you're not a patriot?
Posted by: Tom at April 17, 2004 10:02 AMUm, final thought. The Patriot Act I'm sure is law that Republicans feel most comfortable having a Republican President in office, and Democrats would tend to distrust it more with President Bush in office. I'd bet the Republicans cheering wildly for the governmental control of citizens allowed by the Patriot Act will begin to hiss and boo about it should Senator John Kerry become President. In turn, some of the liberal opposition will die down.
Posted by: Tom at April 17, 2004 10:11 AMThat may be true. I would remind you though that a Republican Congress gave a Democratic President the line-item veto. A good law will work on both sides so let's hope that is the case with The Patriot Act.
Posted by: trogers at April 17, 2004 09:50 PM
