Reply from my Representative

[kmusser]

The reply I received from Rep. Van Hollen regarding Patriot II

"Dear Karl,

Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns about the Domestic
Security Enhancement Act (DSEA), a proposal that would expand on the
PATRIOT Act of 2002. I appreciate and share your concerns.

In the aftermath of September 11th, I certainly agree that we should
take efforts to root out terrorism at home and abroad, but I am very
concerned that initiatives already included in the PATRIOT Act, and now
proposed in DSEA, are overreaching and infringe on the very freedoms we
seek to protect. The Administration has already initiated plans to
maintain national databases of "potential terrorists" and the Bureau of
Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), formerly known as the
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), has instituted a special
registration program for legal immigrants based solely on specific nation of
origin. These policies have made peaceful, law-abiding people fearful
for their freedom based solely on their skin color, ethnicity or national
origin. This is not what America is supposed to be about.

I will support efforts to fight terrorism that appropriately address
domestic security concerns, but these approaches must not infringe on the
very freedoms we seek to protect. I have already co-sponsored
legislation to repeal portions of the PATRIOT Act.

I will continue to monitor the course of Administration proposals in
this regard, and I appreciate your sharing your views with me on this
very important matter.

Sincerely,

Chris Van Hollen
Member of Congress"

Much better than the reply I got from Sarbanes, which was about as non-committal as you get.

Comments

[dawntreader]

hurrah... so they aren't all blind administration sheep. that's REALLY good to know.