RSS 2.0 FeedBob Barr Denounces The Patriot Act
by Doug MataconisIn an interview at Salon, former Georgia Congressman Bob Barr wishes he could take back his vote in favor of the Patriot Act:
We’ve been talking about civil liberties since 9/11. You voted for the Patriot Act — what role did that play in any loss of civil liberties, and what do you think of that vote now?
It’s a vote that I would not cast now, knowing how the powers in the act have been abused, and [seeing] how vast not just the Patriot Act powers but other powers that the administration has simply taken for itself or that Congress has granted have increased dramatically the power of the federal government. These are of great concern to me, and that’s why I worked very strenuously in ‘05 and ‘06 to try to have the Patriot Act amended and some of its provisions that were up for renewal rescinded. That’s why I’ve worked so very hard, also over the last few years, to bring attention to the real problems, where you have unfettered power for an administration, any administration, such as was granted in the Patriot Act. These are very serious problems, and even though there were some worthwhile provisions in the Patriot Act, which is why I voted for it back in ‘01, looking back on it now and seeing how it has been used and abused since then makes very clear in my mind that that act should not have been passed in the form that it was.
There were, of course, plenty of people saying that back in 2001 when the Patriot Act was rushed through Congress so quickly that most members didn’t even have a chance to read it.
If he holds such regret, perhaps Barr should have read the bill before voting on it.
By not reading and understanding a bill before voting on it, a congressperson cannot know if they are acting in the best interest of their constituents. By voting without such an understanding, a congressperson is guilty of misrepresentation.
Comment by trav.is — April 5, 2007 @ 7:28 pm