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U.S. Army General Joins the ACLU in Opposing Provisions of the Patriot Act; Calls Current Law a Subversion of Americans' Basic Rights
NEW YORK - U.S. Army Brig. Gen. (ret.) Evelyn "Pat" Foote today joined with
the American Civil Liberties Union and civil libertarians across the
political spectrum in opposing current draconian measures contained within
the Patriot Act.
Brig. Gen. Foote also called on members of Congress to support the SAFE Act,
a measure that will bolster civil liberties protections while enhancing law
enforcement's effectiveness.
"Even in our darkest hours we can deal with enemies and safeguard our shores
without subverting the basic rights of Americans," said Foote, a Vietnam War
veteran.
Brig. Gen. Foote served on the American Battle Monuments Commission from
1994-2001 and will be participating with President Bush in the commemoration
of the World War II Memorial in Washington this Memorial Day weekend.
"Military veterans, reservists and active duty service members understand
the importance of protecting America while fighting for our freedom," said
ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero. "The ACLU honors our country's
sacrifices and commitment this Memorial Day by fighting for the SAFE Act,
which protect the civil liberties that all Americans cherish."
Supported by conservatives and liberals alike, the Security and Freedom
Ensured, or SAFE Act would simply narrow several of the Patriot Act's most
contentious provisions, requiring greater judicial review and more checks
against abuse. Contrary to what President Bush has said in recent speeches
and campaign advertisements, nothing in the act would eliminate the secret
search and surveillance powers authorized or expanded in the Patriot Act.
A wide range of organizations are concerned about the Patriot Act's
potential for abuse, including the Free Congress Foundation, the American
Library Association, the American Conservative Union, Amnesty International,
Gun Owners of America, and many religious organizations.
Republican Senators Larry Craig and Michael Crapo, both from Idaho, and John
Sununu from New Hampshire are among the 19 co-sponsors of the SAFE Act in
the Senate. Other supporters of the legislation include Republican Senators
Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Richard Durbin
of Illinois as well as Democratic Senators Jon Corzine of New Jersey and
Russell Feingold of Wisconsin.
The House version of the SAFE Act is being championed by 62 Members of
Congress, including Representative C.L. "Butch" Otter, a pro-gun,
pro-"family values" Idahoan.
Last week, Orrin Hatch, the Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary
Committee, pledged that he would hold hearings about the SAFE Act, saying
that his colleagues believe "it is something that should be done."
Brig. Gen. Foote served 30 years on active duty as principally a military
police officer following her service in the U.S. Army's Women's Army Corps.
She was recalled to active duty in 1996 for one year by President Bill
Clinton to serve as Vice-Chair of the Army's Senior Review Panel on Sexual
Harassment.
