EDITORIAL OPINION PIECE
Stanley for U.S. Senate Campaign
Web Site: http://www.stanley2002.org
Contact: Jim Frye, (303) 329-0481
Email: jim@www.stanley2002.org

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The following editorial opinion piece is offered for your use by Libertarian Candidate for U.S. Senate, Rick Stanley.

Is America the land of the police state, and the home of the cowards?
                                                     by Rick Stanley

I have reviewed the passage of HR3162 by the Senate, which cast only one no vote, and the House, where 66 "nays" were recorded.

I cannot support this unconstitutional law . The “Patriot Act” is another violation of the Bill of Rights.  Even if we had a President with the guts to veto this tyrannical bill, the House and Senate have guaranteed its passage with their overwhelming majorities.

Our own senators from Colorado, Wayne Allard and Ben Nighthorse Campbell, violated their promise to uphold the constitution when they voted to support this bill.

The provisions of  this act -- and its unintended consequences -- violate everything our forefathers fought so hard to preserve.  What will this act mean for the average citizen, particularly those likely to be targeted by Federal agencies for taxes, drugs, political activism, owning a gun, free speech, etc?

The potential for abuse is staggering. The similarities to pre-World War II Germany are mind-boggling. 2001 will go down in history as the year America was attacked by foreign aggressors -- and by its own government. This act is just one of many abuses heaped upon the American people by an out-of-control government and a Supreme Court with absolutely no respect for the Constitution.

Our government has refused to answer the terrorism problem for 18 years. Because the attack on September 11th was so blatant and government policies were so weak, congress was forced to consider this draconian measure -- to prevent an uprising. Government failed to protect America with its stupid policies. The American people paid with their lives. First our government cowered. Then it woke up. But instead of attacking our enemies, it attacked the Constitution and the People.

Bill Maher was right. We are cowards. Our government is a reflection of us. It's elected by us, to represent us. We are soft and cowardly. Our government mirrors this reality. We cloak our cowardice in patriotism, which the government uses, in turn, as a pretext to attack our rights.

The media in this country mirror this same cowardice. They perpetuate the image of cringing, scared Americans, so we will accept the anti-terrorism provisions of this unconstitutional bill.

How can the American people continue to stomach the manipulations of this weak and cowardly government, and its mouthpiece, the media? The war on terror has turned inward upon the American people. Cloaking this crap in a catchy title like “The Patriot Act” is untruthful, un-American, and downright dishonest. It reeks of manipulation. It’s another piece of propaganda -- another lie from the politicians who are stealing every American's birthright.

I believe it is every U.S. citizen’s duty to protect and defend the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I am going on the record today. Any citizen who does not protect and defend the rights secured by these precious documents is a coward!
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