Pubdate: Sat, 17 Nov 2001
Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA)
Copyright: 2001 San Jose Mercury News
Contact:  http://www.sjmercury.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/390
Author: Tom O'Connell

Letters To The Editor

CIVIL LIBERTIES FALL VICTIM TO GOVERNMENT

There are certain reliable litmus tests for comprehending our Bill of 
Rights. For example: anyone advocating a "flag burning" amendment is 
telling us he or she really doesn't understand the First Amendment. 
Similarly, someone using fear of terrorism to justify trials by secretly 
appointed tribunals with the rules of evidence suspended and sentences 
carried out without judicial review clearly doesn't understand the Fifth.

That the most vociferous apologist for George Bush's executive order 
suspending the constitutional protections of those charged with "terrorism" 
should be Attorney General John Ashcroft is deeply disturbing.

Those of us who opposed his nomination were concerned that he really 
doesn't understand the Constitution; how quickly he has shown that judgment 
to be correct.

Tom O'Connell

San Mateo
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