ACLU: Proposed law to infringe on rights
The American Civil Liberties Union says a proposed law would infringe on basic liberties and erode checks and balances on presidential power. The new law, called Patriot II, which has been reportedly proposed by the Department of Justice, seeks to strengthen America’s security against possible terrorist attacks. A posting on the ACLU Web site Monday said the proposed law goes further than the U.S. Patriot Act, adopted after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, “in eroding checks and balances on presidential power and contains a number of measures that are of questionable effectiveness, but are sure to infringe on civil liberties.” The Justice Department is refusing to comment on the drafted bill which was first leaked by the Washington-based Center for Public Integrity. When contacted by United Press International, a spokesman for the Justice Department said it’s too early to comment on a report which has not yet been officially released. Full Story