Police state isn't answer to terrorism

Congress is considering a bill that would allow police to listen in on phone calls and search Americans' houses without having to demonstrate probable cause. \nLate last night, several members of the House of Representatives tried to push the bill through Congress. It was only stopped when several Congressmen, led by Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., demanded that the vote be delayed until today, when more members could be present.\nBut for several terrifying hours it appeared that this legislation -- which President George W. Bush has endorsed -- would pass. \nIt must be much the same feeling that was felt in the Eastern bloc countries during the Cold War as their civil liberties were slowly removed. For many years, we have looked upon governments that don't recognize these civil liberties with contempt. \nWe have always prided ourselves in the strong protections our Constitution provides. The Fourth Amendment states:\n"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..."\nThe Congressmen that are pushing this bill are trying to force on the American people a state that gives the police almost unlimited authority to investigate citizens without cause. In short, they are trying to create a police state.\nIt is easy to rationalize the need for such a bill by saying that America is at war with terrorists. It is easy to say that it's only for the next four years and that it's only targeted at Muslims.\nBut the words of Pastor Martin Niemoller, who was arrested by the Nazis during World War II, come to mind:\nFirst they came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up, because I wasn't a Communist.\nThen they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up, because I wasn't a Jew.\nThen they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up, because I was a Protestant.\nThen they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up for me.\nSo, take notice, Congress. We will not stay silent. We will speak up.\nThese rights are so basic to the freedoms we have as Americans that they must never be revoked. It is our responsibility to protect the innocent and to ensure that generations to come will enjoy the same ability to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects that we have enjoyed for the last 214 years.\nLuckily, it is not too late. Congress will consider the measure again today. Call your congressman. E-mail his or her office. Contact the White House. Express your concern that this bill not be passed. Tell them that the bill, H.R. 3162, must not be passed.\nWe must not degrade democracy in order to defend it.\n