- In a blatant attempt to stifle growing criticism of
recent
government policy, Attorney General Ashcroft delivered testimony last week
equating legitimate political dissent with something unpatriotic and
un-American.
We urge the Attorney General to learn from the history of American dissent
-- from the Civil War to the civil rights struggle -- that free and robust
debate is one of the main engines of social and political justice. While
we feel as strongly as the rest of America that those who perpetrated the
monstrous acts of September 11 must be brought to justice and our future
safety ensured, we forcefully disagree with the Attorney General that
domestic
debate about the government response in any way harms the investigation.
In fact, we believe debate only strengthens our government in this time
of national crisis.
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- The Attorney General swore an oath to guard the Bill
of Rights and the Constitution, including the First Amendment. For him
to openly attack as "aiding the enemy" those who question
government
policy is all the more frightening in light of his constitutional duty
to protect each and every American's right to speak and think their mind.
Even worse is the tone of derision used by the Attorney General to mock
his detractors, declaring their concerns "phantoms" and charging
that their criticism brings "comfort to the enemy."
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- There is evidence that the recent steps by the
Administration
to hold secretive military tribunals, to allow the government to eavesdrop
on confidential attorney-client conversations and to blanket interrogate
and detain Arab-Americans and Muslims are problematic for liberty in
America.
Ashcroft should welcome a free and robust debate about the appropriateness
and legality of his positions as a means of legitimizing his authority,
not weakening it.
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- American history demonstrates clearly that the search
for truth tends to become muddied in times of crisis. Since the turn of
the last century, America has seen each of its military conflicts prod
the government into taking steps to stifle domestic dissent. Ashcroft's
statement suggests that, if we are not careful, the tragedy of September
11 might be compounded by a repeat of this history.
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- While we firmly support the Administration in its efforts
to prevent another September 11, we cannot abide - nor can the American
commitment to liberty and democracy support - any attempt by the
Administration
to dictate or coerce the thoughts we think or the opinions we hold.
Thinking
critically about government policy is the strongest shield against
government
excess.
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- We will continue to voice our disagreement when we feel
the government has stepped out of bounds and will do so with the conviction
that one of the highest forms of patriotism is devotion to the Constitution
and the freedoms guaranteed within, including the right to speak out in
disagreement with the powers that be.
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- Laura Murphy is director of the ACLU's National Office
in Washington, DC.
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- http://www.counterpunch.org
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