CONTACT YOUR SENATOR ABOUT THE HOMELAND SECURITY AGENCY BILL (tags)
The Senate is poised to vote on the establishment of the Homeland Security Agency. Many versions of the bill have circulated through congress, all containing different provisions. Because of the rapidly approaching Senate vote, it is important to contact your Senator this week, and urge them to vote for specific provisions of a House version of the bill - HR 5005.EH - that include crucial civil liberties protections. Also, urge them to vote against any provision that would authorize the creation of the “Total Information Awareness System” now funded by the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency.
Transcript of militarized police forum (tags)
In light of recent Bush administration efforts to expand the domestic role of the military, "Declassified Radio" is re-releasing the transcript of a past program on the military's growing influence on domestic policing. This program, initially released in October of 2001, includes material from a September 25, 2001 symposium on militarized policing held at Judson Church in New York City. Speakers included Paul Richmond of the National Lawyer's Guild, "Covert Action Quarterly" writer Frank Morales, and Sam Smith, editor of the "Progressive Review".
BUSH ADMINISTRATION SEEKING DOMESTIC MILITARY POWERS (tags)
The White House and Homeland Security Czar Tom Ridge are calling for a review of the Posse Commitatus Act, which currently prohibits the military from engaging in domestic police activities.
OPPOSE THE GROWING DOMESTIC MILITARY PRESENCE (tags)
The Pentagon recently announced plans for the creation of a Homeland CINC, or military command. Urge your representatives to oppose military "mission creep" into domestic affairs. (Sample letter below:)