I thought that the following announcement from BORDC (Bill of Rights Defense Committee) was worthy of passing on. It concerns reauthorization of the PATRIOT Act, and if you're using the internet it affects you and your right to privacy. I strongly recommend following the link to read the full article.

Executive Director Shahid Buttar published a column this month concerning reauthorization of the PATRIOT Act, which he argues has "once again place[d] the Constitution in the cross-hairs of a complacent Congress, acquiescing to another administration whose political agenda lies at conspicuous odds with its leader's oath to defend the Constitution." Buttar concludes that "[t]he federal policymaking process surrounding domestic surveillance....lacks transparency, legislative accountability, and continuity from the prior debate, making a mockery of democracy while dragging our country further down the failed course of the Bush administration—despite the electorate’s resounding mandate in 2008 to reverse that course."

Offering a vivid analogy to help depict the offensiveness of the latest procedural updates from DC, he concludes that "the Constitution appears to have few friends left in our nation’s capital. That’s one reason (among many) to take matters into your own hands and organize to raise rights above the federal floor in your town. Don’t get angry. Get active."

BORDC's mission is to promote, organize, and support a diverse, effective, national grassroots movement to restore and protect civil rights and liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Their purpose is to educate people about the significance of those rights in our lives; to encourage widespread civic participation; and to cultivate and share the organizing tools and strategies needed for people to convert their concern, outrage, and fear into debate and action to restore Bill of Rights protection.

This organization offers a wide array of options to get involved in defending your human rights. It can be as simple as signing a petition or, if you choose to get more involved, you can organize your own grassroots community project with their assistance.

Obama just signed a bill to extend the patriot act 4 more years!

www.web420.com/community/robert/videos/v...nded-four-more-years

Sigh. i was trying to resist replying to this post, as it is very difficult for me to not get upset and emotional about this topic. I was violently opposed to the "Patriot" Act from it's inception, even directly after the events of 9/11. The very name "The Patriot Act" is all you need to hear to know that it is rank demagoguery at its worst. An appeal to people's fears and base instinct to spy on, and dictate the behaviour of their neighbours. Unfortunately, it will never go away now. Once the government is allowed to abrogate a power to itself, politicians are never going to let it go, because stripping rights from the citizenry, is always a goal of those in power. This may sound paranoid, but even a cursory perusal of past history bears it out. I am terribly afraid that only a revolution of the aforementioned citizenry will ever reverse this trend. Yes "trend"! Even Obama is going to go along with this crime, because in the end he really is just another politician.

Tach

I agree... now that the government is doing extensive spying and wiretapping of "domestic terrorists" they will probably never stop. They will likely say the Patriot Act is necessary to fight terrorism and protect people, convincing Americans to accept it indefinitely.

Have you seen the Obama and Empire speech by John Pilger? (www.web420.com/community/videos/video/43...hn-pilger?groupid=10) I think it is interesting because it discusses how merely electing Obama has pacified the political left.

Part of the problem is that the definition of "terrorist" has been expanded to include any activities that government officials may deem to be harmful not necessarily to the country but to themselves!
This has led to the demonization of traditionally honourable actions, such as civil disobedience, dissenting political discourse, etc. I vividly recall the days of the "Patriot" Acts inception, when even to voice any opposition, or even doubt about proposed governmental actions was denounced as "unpatriotic"! This is curious since this country was founded on the principles of dissent and constant questioning of governmental motives. Politicians love this sort of mob mentality, and are never shy or slow to take advantage of it.

Tach