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Action Alert: Stop the Patriot Act Renewal

By Jeralyn, Section Legislation
Posted on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 08:54:59 PM EST
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The House of Representatives passed the Patriot Act renewal legislation today. (More here and here.) The Senate is scheduled to vote on Friday. It's a bad, bad bill, filled with new crimes, including drug offenses, death eligible offenses and habeas restrictions, as well as enhanced penalties, many of which have nothing to do with terrorism. Check it out yourself here.

A filibuster is possible.

A Senate Democratic leadership aide said opponents seemed to have from 40 to 46 votes to sustain a filibuster. Republicans said it was uncertain how many votes they would have. "It's going to be close," a Senate Republican aide said.

This may be your last chance. Call your senators now. Tell them that you want them to:

  • Vote no cloture and support a filibuster.
  • Vote NO on the conference report, should it get to a vote.

Here is a letter by the ACLU explaining why the bill is bad for civil liberties.

If your senator is already planning to vote for a filibuster, thank them and tell them to stand their ground:

If you are from New Hampshire, Idaho, Alaska, Illinois, Wisconsin, or Colorado, one of your Senators is a member of the "civil liberties six" -- Sununu (R-NH), Craig (R-ID), Murkowski (R-AK), Durbin (D-IL), Feingold (D-WI) and Salazar (D-CO) -- who is supporting the bipartisan filibuster. Be sure to tell him or her "thank you" and to stand their ground.

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    Action Alert: Stop the Patriot Act Renewal | 6 comments (6 topical)
    Re: Action Alert: Stop the Patriot Act Renewal (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:07:02 PM EST
    The only hope in my state is Arlen Specter and he may be a long shot since he thinks the sham compromise is acceptable. The whole state of PA could tell Rick Santorum not to vote for this bad piece of legilation and he wouldn't listen.

    Re: Action Alert: Stop the Patriot Act Renewal (none / 0) (#2)
    by The Heretik on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:07:02 PM EST
    Thanks for the update. Friday sounds like a cynic's holiday.

    Re: Action Alert: Stop the Patriot Act Renewal (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:07:02 PM EST
    Your blogads links are not working. Thanks for covering this issue. How sad it is that the most unamerican legislation ever passed is called the patriot act. Friggin Orwellian. Thanks for everything talkleft does. I visit here every day.

    Re: Action Alert: Stop the Patriot Act Renewal (none / 0) (#4)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:07:02 PM EST
    The word "patriot" was another victim of the war on terror...along with phrase "freedom and democracy". They are now buzzwords used to describe fascism and imperialism.

    Re: Action Alert: Stop the Patriot Act Renewal (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:07:02 PM EST
    Thank you sans-culotte. Which blogads link isn't working for you? They all work for me.

    Re: Action Alert: Stop the Patriot Act Renewal (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:07:02 PM EST
    I suggest we ask Congress to pass legislation requiring that the National Archives move the Constitution out of the Washington, DC area to a place more safe. May Canada can hold it for us until our own government grows up enough to know how to use it.

    Action Alert: Stop the Patriot Act Renewal | 6 comments (6 topical)