Uechi-Ryu.com

This just came to my attention and it's more than a little disconcerting. Why is it the President was able to issues an act like this to alter fundamental rights? Did congress have to approve it?

That one that breeches lawyer/client privilege and right to representation is espeically disconcerting.
Dana
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http://www.lexisone.com/news/ap/ap091102y.html

Changes In Legal Rights
Some of the fundamental changes to Americans' legal rights by the Bush administration and the USA Patriot Act following the terror attacks:

* FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION: Government may monitor religious and political institutions without suspecting criminal activity to assist terror investigation.

* FREEDOM OF INFORMATION: Government has closed once-public immigration hearings, has secretly detained hundreds of people without charges, and has encouraged bureaucrats to resist public records requests.

* FREEDOM OF SPEECH: Government may prosecute librarians or keepers of any other records if they tell anyone that the government subpoenaed information related to a terror investigation.

* RIGHT TO LEGAL REPRESENTATION: Government may monitor federal prison jailhouse conversations between attorneys and clients, and deny lawyers to Americans accused of crimes.

* FREEDOM FROM UNREASONABLE SEARCHES: Government may search and seize Americans' papers and effects without probable cause to assist terror investigation.

* RIGHT TO A SPEEDY AND PUBLIC TRIAL: Government may jail Americans indefinitely without a trial.

* RIGHT TO LIBERTY: Americans may be jailed without being charged or being able to confront witnesses against them.

– The Associated Press

The USA Patriot Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by Pres. Bush.

Right now, certain questionable aspects of the USA Patriot Act have not been challenged in court. So, here and now, what the Act says goes. Period.

When someone successfully challenges the Act in court, and if one or more aspects of the Act are declared Unconstituiontonal, then our eroded rights will return. That is until the next questionable law is passed.

Gene

It's OK, Dana...

I'm sure you'll get the same responses as those of us who've been pointing out the erosion of your unalienable Rights for years...

"You don't have to worry. What do you have to hide anyway?"

"I don't have to worry. I don't have anything to hide!"

"It's necessary for the defense of this great country. You do think this is the greatest country, don't you?"

And a whole host of others... Welcome to Amerika.