User:Woozle/2007-10-26 webmail in support of HR3835
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On October 15, 2007, Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) introduced the American Freedom Agenda Act of 2007 (H.R. 3835). This important piece of legislation would reverse many of the Constitutional abuses that have occurred over the past six years.
In the name of the "war on terror," the Bush Administration and Congress have repeatedly abandoned Constitutional principles at the expense of civil liberties and human rights. If we allow this to continue, we may end up living in a nation that reflects the worst nightmare of our Founders. They designed the Constitution specifically to protect our rights against a tyrannical government. Even in times of crisis, we must be true to their vision.
The American Freedom Agenda Act would bar the use of evidence obtained through torture; require that federal intelligence gathering is conducted in accordance with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA); create a mechanism for challenging presidential signing statements; repeal the Military Commissions Act, which, among other things, denies habeas corpus to certain detainees; prohibit kidnapping, detentions, and torture abroad; protect journalists who publish information received from the executive branch; and ensure that secret evidence is not used to designate individuals or organizations with a presence in the U.S. as foreign terrorists.
At the start of each new Congress, you take an oath that begins with the following statement:
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic…"
I sincerely hope that you will be true to your oath and will co-sponsor the American Freedom Agenda Act.
If you are interested in co-sponsoring this legislation, please contact Rep. Paul’s office at 225-2831.
My Addendum
P.S. My gut feeling about this is that those who spend too much time in DC have become somewhat taken in by The Way Things Are Done inside the Beltway, and so it may not be as obvious how absolutely wrong are the wrongs which this bill attempts to right. If you do not intend to support this bill, I would very much like to hear the details of what you are intending to do instead, and why you think it is more likely to succeed -- because we can't let these abuses go on.