Tag: patriot act

Pro-Business vs. Pro-Market: What’s the Difference?

Many people confuse a “pro-market” orientation with a “pro-business” one. Recent events abroad highlight the stark difference between the two outlooks. Business interests lobbying the U.S. government are sometimes valuable to society and other times harmful. For example, after the 9/11 attacks, opposition to the USA PATRIOT Act — a draconian attack on American civil … Continue reading “Pro-Business vs. Pro-Market: What’s the Difference?”

Madison and Jefferson Were UnPATRIOTic

“All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.” – Thomas Jefferson As a history teacher, I spend a great deal of time with the Founding Fathers, and, as an American citizen, I was raised to see them, their ideas, and the heritage handed down from them as … Continue reading “Madison and Jefferson Were UnPATRIOTic”

Renewing the PATRIOT Act: Who Will Protect Us From Our Government?

“It is the responsibility of the patriot to protect his country from its government.”—Thomas Paine Those who founded this country knew quite well that every citizen must remain vigilant or freedom would be lost. This is the true nature of a patriot—one who sounds the clarion call when the Constitution is under attack. If, on … Continue reading “Renewing the PATRIOT Act: Who Will Protect Us From Our Government?”

The USA PATRIOT Act: Dispelling the Myths

On Behalf of Campaign for Liberty Re: The USA PATRIOT Act: Dispelling the Myths Before the House Judiciary Committee May 11, 2011 Bruce Fein & Associates, Inc. 1025 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 1000 Washington, D.C. 20036 Phone: 703-963-4968 bruce@thelichfieldgroup.com Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee: I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on … Continue reading “The USA PATRIOT Act: Dispelling the Myths”

Giving Thanks to Outgoing Sen. Feingold

Long before there was Jeffrey Goldberg hyping “dignity” for air travelers, and Charles Krauthammer declaring that don’t “touch my junk” is the “anthem of the modern man, the Tea Party patriot,” there was Sen. Russell Feingold of Wisconsin. Since this week is about giving thanks, I’d like to begin by expressing gratitude for Democratic Sen. … Continue reading “Giving Thanks to Outgoing Sen. Feingold”

Supreme Mediocrity

“Your modesty overwhelms me, Yogi.” “Why not, Boo Boo? I’ve got a lot to be modest about.” Those are my two favorite lines from The Yogi Bear Show, a cartoon I watched when I was a kid. After his reply to Boo Boo, Yogi looks self-conscious as he realizes what he has just admitted about … Continue reading “Supreme Mediocrity”

Justice Department’s History Not Worth Celebrating

Statement on H. Res. 1422, made June 24, 2010. Madam Speaker, the House of Representatives recently considered H. Res. 1422, honoring the 140th anniversary of the Department of Justice. I voted against this resolution because of the Justice Department’s history of violating individual rights. It is the Justice Department that leads the ongoing violations of … Continue reading “Justice Department’s History Not Worth Celebrating”

Peace Groups Slam High Court Ruling on ‘Terror Support’

In the wake of Monday’s Supreme Court decision upholding a law making it a crime to provide any “material support” to an organization designated as a “terrorist” by the U.S. government, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter charged that the law “actually threatens our work and the work of many other peacemaking organizations that must interact … Continue reading “Peace Groups Slam High Court Ruling on ‘Terror Support’”

The Road to Dictatorship

That 56 percent of all Americans "think the federal government’s become so large and powerful that it poses an immediate threat to the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens" isn’t really all that surprising. After all, ever since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the government’s "right" to read our e-mails, seize our property, hold us as … Continue reading “The Road to Dictatorship”