Visit our website: HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------------------------- [Via Communist Internet... http://www.egroups.com/group/Communist-Internet ] [Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ] . . ----- Original Message ----- From: Julio V. Ruiz, M.D. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Cuban-American Geriatric Educational Foundation <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, September 21, 2001 2:45 PM Subject: [CubaNews] "Opposition to anti-terrorism measures grows" Miami Herald Published Friday, September 21, 2001 Opposition to anti-terrorism measures grows 150 groups team up to block some of Ashcroft's proposals BY FRANK DAVIES [EMAIL PROTECTED] WASHINGTON -- A broad range of groups that cut across ideological and religious lines announced a campaign Thursday to block some of the Bush administration's anti-terrorism measures that would expand police investigative powers. >From the American Civil Liberties Union to the Gun Owners of America, the 150 groups formed a coalition called In Defense of Freedom. They oppose some of Attorney General John Ashcroft's proposals, from expanded surveillance of personal records to greater powers to detain and deport immigrants. The groups signed a statement saying that government ``should resist the temptation to enact proposals in the mistaken belief that anything that may be called `anti-terrorist' will necessarily provide greater security.'' VARIETY OF IDEOLOGIES ``These groups here agree on very little, but we agree on the need to protect constitutional rights,'' said Morton Halperin, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and a veteran of the ACLU. Grover Norquist, president of the conservative Americans for Tax Reform, said at the press conference that ``many center-right groups,'' including the Eagle Forum, had joined the effort. He said he was bothered by Ashcroft's rapid push this week to enact new investigative powers, including some rejected by Congress during the Clinton administration, in the wake of last week's terrorist attacks. ``Here's an idea for members of Congress: Don't vote for something you haven't actually read,'' Norquist said. Halperin and Norquist typify the diversity of the coalition. Norquist is a powerful conservative insider close to GOP congressional leaders. Halperin, a former national security aide in the Clinton White House, has been the target of many conservatives. ``This is a an extraordinary cross-section of America,'' said Rabbi Jack Moline, of the Inter-Faith Alliance Center, who stood near Nihad Awad, a Palestinian American with the Council for American Islamic Relations. Among Ashcroft's counter-terrorism proposals, outlined in a 20-page summary, the FBI and other police agencies could seize billing information such as credit numbers from Internet service providers without a court order. Police would have easier access to unopened e-mail and voicemail messages. JUSTICE'S STAND The Justice Department analysis said obtaining that information quickly is important in tracking suspected terrorists who use false names and many phones and computers. In addition to expanded, faster surveillance, the proposals would allow immigration officials much greater latitude in holding immigrants indefinitely and deporting them with little judicial review. ``Some of these initiatives raise troubling questions about due process and would affect all immigrants' rights,'' said Anthony Romero, executive director of the ACLU. Congressional leaders from both parties said Thursday they will carefully consider the proposals, beginning with hearings next week. ``You want to help law enforcement -- but you want to do it in a way that is consistent with our Constitution,'' said House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt. ``This is not easy language to write. There will be concerns on both sides of the aisle.'' Norquist recalled that Ashcroft, a former Missouri senator, joined other Republicans in opposing similar law enforcement initiatives in 1996, including efforts to make it easier for federal agents to trace personal computer data. Defenders of computer privacy said they fear federal authorities will use broad definitions of ``terrorist-related activities'' to cast a wide net that would increase surveillance of law-abiding citizens. Suspects could include people who know ``or should know'' they are aiding a terrorist group. SPEEDING UP SUBPOENAS The Ashcroft proposals would make it easier to issue some subpoenas without a judge's approval, seize assets that may be related to terrorist groups and exchange surveillance information with other countries. ``Law enforcement already has many powers, but some of these [proposals] are too broadly written,'' said J. Bradley Jansen, deputy director of the Center for Technology Policy at the conservative Free Congress Foundation. 2001 The Miami Herald and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Get your FREE credit report with a FREE CreditCheck Monitoring Service trial http://us.click.yahoo.com/MDsVHB/bQ8CAA/ySSFAA/xYTolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> To unsubscribe from this CubaNews group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ ------------------------------------------------- This Discussion List is the follow-up for the old stopnato @listbot.com that has been shut down ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9spWA Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: [email protected] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
