Silence Is Golden
 

With the conventions and coming 2004 election there have been more activities and protests being planned by political activists. Public protest of our government and open dissent have been a hallmark of American freedom. Being able to criticize our government without fear of reprisals has been part of America since the founding of our nation. Freedom of speech and the right of public assembly are guaranteed by our Constitution.

It would seem that the Patriot Act has changed that. For those who don't think the Patriot Act affects them, don't try to join any demonstration or sign a political petition that protests actions by the party in power, unless you want a visit from the FBI, who now have more authority to monitor public events. Activists have been interrogated and told they are being investigated for domestic terrorism. Since the Patriot Act, as part of the War on Terror, has created the crime of domestic terrorism, anyone simply suspected of that is subject to indefinite incarceration without the benefit of a lawyer or a trial. This, for anti-war protestors? What have we given up in the name of security? Just the threat of an FBI file being opened for an investigation is enough to stifle any plans to protest. By discouraging political _expression in this way, the Patriot Act has effectively put an end to American democracy. We still have our rights and freedoms, as long as we don't try to exercise them.

In February, federal investigators subpoenaed Drake University in Iowa for the records of the sponsors and attendees of an anti-war forum on the campus. There was no violence, no civil disobedience or any other reason for an investigation except that the forum opposed a policy of this administration. It was dropped after a public outcry. Efforts to undermine our Constitutional rights have been increased now however, since the excuse of safety at conventions, political debates and elections have made the timing right.

If "we the people" give up our freedom because we are cowed into silence through the efforts of the War on Terror, and the administration tells us we are attacked because the terrorists hate our freedom, who then can be declared the victor?

8-16-04