Security and Freedom Ensured (SAFE) Act By Donnel Jones, October 16, 2003	Home   Search   Forum   Terms

Bi-partisian action is building to trim back John Ashcroft's excesses in the Patriot Act. Democrats and Republicans have come up with an alternative called the Security and Freedom Ensured (SAFE) Act.

In lays out changes to the Patriot Act as follows:

• Limit on "sneak and peak" search warrants
• Roving wiretaps to be used only when suspect is present
• Roving wiretap warrants must declare target and location of wiretap
• Seizing library and business records requires the FBI to show a terrorist is being targeted.

The Justice Deparment is yet to comment on SAFE. Undoubtedly Ashcroft will object to its provisions. A clearing airing of differences should be voiced but it is reassuring that a healthy blend of conservative and liberal voices seeks to modify the law. The Patriot Act was rushed through Congress shortly after 9/11 but that was a time fraught with understandable emergency.

We have two years to reflect on how we want to protect ourselves. Congress is now taking a second look. That has to be a good thing. Let the lawmakers, the Congress, create the law and the Justice Deparment can enforce it. Though I'm not one to bash Ashcroft as such bashers are usually anti-Christian or anti-religion, no Attorney General should be given carte blanche to make new law concerning our security. I, for one, am reasured the balance of power has been tipped.