Letter: Patriot Act threatens many of our freedoms

Friday, Aug. 29, 2003 | 9:31 a.m.

One of the items that Attorney General John Ashcroft wants to keep in the Patriot Act is the indefinite detention of American citizens without charge or a right to counsel, based on non-reviewable executive determinations that the individuals detained are "enemy combatants."

The referent for "enemy combatants" is so general that even demonstrators might be considered terrorists. He also wants to maintain various "data mining" projects that might be used in police "witch hunts" but have questionable value in catching terrorists.

Another problem that legislators are beginning to see in the Patriot Act is the almost racist denial of noncitizens the rights that our citizens enjoy. Our country has had a history of starting with denying noncitizens rights and then extending those laws to citizens.

I know that many people say they are willing to give up some of their rights for security, but even police states are not secure from terrorist groups and the "war on terror" may have no end. It's past time when a serious review and revision of the Patriot Act is done to secure our liberties. It is also past time for citizens to stand up and demand it be done.

JERRY BITTS