THE USA PATRIOT BILL
Derry Brownfield
September 8, 2002
NewsWithViews.com
The USA Patriot bill was called the "Antiterrorism Bill" and was passed by both houses and signed by President Bush before anyone had a chance to read its contents. The title of the bill, "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act," is very misleading. The Patriot Act is not going to make the USA safe from terrorist attacks and it takes away many of the rights guaranteed to us by the Constitution. Very few Americans are paying attention to what is happening to their freedoms.
The Patriot Bill along with "Homeland Security" has increased the ability of the federal government to commit surveillance on US citizens without search warrants. Section 213 of the Patriot Act (Authority for Delaying Notice of the Execution of a Warrant) allows police to avoid giving prior warning when searches of personal property are conducted. The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution states:
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated; and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized."
Section 215 of the Patriot Bill gives the federal government the authority to acquire any business records by order of a secret US court. Anyone receiving a search order is not allowed to tell anyone else what has taken place. This not only violates the Fourth Amendment but also "free speech!"
These Acts totally disregard the US Constitution and have set the state for a dictator to rule over us. Our founding fathers warned us of a tyrannical government and wrote the Constitution to protect us from these very things. Our law enforcement agencies now have the power to spy on us, set up files on individuals and make midnight raids upon homeowners, all in the guise of protecting us from terrorists. Our Constitutional freedoms are not only being ignored but have been disposed of.
There is practically no connection between the Trade Towers attacks and this legislation. Section 802 defines terrorism in such a way that anyone who disagrees with the power structure could be considered a terrorist. Section 802 says, "activity that involves acts dangerous to human life that violate the laws of the United States or any state and "appear" to be "intended" to intimate or coerce a civilian population." Appear to be intended to do a dangerous act! You and I could probable fit into that category depending upon who is making the charge.
Section 203 (Authority to Share Criminal Investigative Information). No court order is necessary for law enforcement to provide untested information and the information is is not limited to the person being investigated. The FBI, or the CIA, or other government agencies are not prohibited from giving this information to "foreign" intelligence operations. This is the creation of an international political secret police.
Our Constitution was written with checks and balances in order to keep our government from turning into a police state. The Trade Towers attacks give our leaders the opportunity they had been waiting for as patriotism was stirred up among our citizens, without which, these laws could have never been passed. It is time for us to remember a statement made by a great world leader.
"Beware the leader who beats the drums of war in order to whip the citizenry into a patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword. It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind. And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch and the blood boils and hate and the mind has closed, the leader will have no need in seizing the rights of the citizenry. Rather, the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded by patriotism, will offer up all of their rights unto the leader and gladly so. How do I know? For this is what I have done. And I am Caesar." - Julius Caesar
© 2002 Derry Brownfield, All Rights Reserved
Derry Brownfield was born in 1932 and grew up during the depression. He is a farmer and a broadcaster. Derry attended the College of Agriculture at the University of Missouri where he received his B.S. and M.S. degrees. He taught Vocational Agriculture several years before going to work as a Marketing Specialist with the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Derry served as Director of the Kansas City Livestock Market Foundation at the Kansas City Stockyard prior to establishing himself in farm broadcasting.
Derry started farming when he was 16 years old and received the Future Farmers of America State Farmer degree in 1949. Since that time the Brownfield Farm has grown to over 1000 acres maintaining a herd of 200 registered Charolias cows.
In 1972, Derry and his partner established the Brownfield Network which now serves 250 radio stations throughout the Midwest with news and market information.
In 1994, Derry started his own syndicated radio talk show and he is one of the most popular radio talk show hosts in America. The Derry Brownfield Show can be heard on approximately 80 radio stations in 23 states. With his entertaining sense of humor and witty commentary he has captured audiences for over 30 years. His ability to present an informative talk show while being light and colorful is why he has a large loyal listening audience.
Derry Brownfield is a practical farmer, a practical business man and a very entertaining speaker. He travels extensively throughout the country speaking about his common-sense point of view. Web Site is: http://www.derrybrownfield.com