Toughen Patriot Act, attorney general saysBy KATIE PESZNECKER and NICOLE TSONG
Anchorage Daily News (website)
7/22/2003 United States Attorney General John Ashcroft told federal and local officials
Monday the USA Patriot Act should be expanded, not softened, even as protesters
gathered nearby and the Anchorage Assembly and state Legislature have passed resolutions
protesting the national anti-terrorism law.
Ashcroft charged critics with misconstruing a law that he said broadens the government's
ability to nab terrorists. He would like to amplify those powers, he said.
"This is not something novel or new or different," Ashcroft said. "The Patriot
Act is simply a way to extend a robust set of tools."
Ashcroft addressed Alaska's Anti-Terrorism Task Force, which includes representatives
from 60 federal, state and local agencies. It's one of 93 such task forces around
the United States; Ashcroft said he has personally visited about 40 of them.
The attorney general said that in the pursuit of terrorists it's critical that
federal and local governments work together. Without the Patriot Act, Ashcroft said,
these efforts would be "difficult if not impossible."
The act lowers legal standards for government agents to listen to private telephone
calls or search homes. It also grants federal authorities wider access to citizens'
personal medical, financial and school records, library records and bookstore purchases.
Congress passed it in the emotional weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks. But since then, roughly 150 local and state governments have passed resolutions
protesting the act. The Alaska Legislature in May nearly unanimously passed a resolution
telling local and state law enforcement to refuse to help federal agents pursuing
activities approved by the act.
Last week, the Anchorage Assembly adopted a resolution requesting that Anchorage
police and other city agencies refuse to help federal agents in ways that violate
"the rights and liberties guaranteed equally under the state and federal constitutions."
The Anchorage Police Department isn't sure how to respond to the resolution,
said Walt Monegan, acting police chief.
"The idea of sharing information that could save lives or property is very important,"
Monegan said after Ashcroft's speech. "No one wants to flaunt any action by the
city government, but if information is shared and it saves someone, I think that's
very important.
"If there is a crime, we're going to be jumping into it."
Ashcroft also met with Gov. Frank Murkowski, federal judges and Department of
Justice Employees in Alaska.
Reporters and photographers covering his address were ordered not to approach
within several feet of the attorney general, and after his remarks, were limited
to asking a total of five questions. Ashcroft evaded answering some of them.
One reporter asked his opinion of Anchorage's and Alaska's resolutions protesting
the Patriot Act.
"I believe our relationships are very good," said Ashcroft, who praised Alaska
officials as having integrity and being cooperative.
What of Alaska Congressman Don Young's objections to the act? Should the act
be changed?
"I think it seems to most Americans that an adjustment may be appropriate," Ashcroft
said. It should expand to give federal officers more authority, he said.
He was also asked if the municipality and state can ignore the law.
Ashcroft said it's clear that public safety officers want to stop terrorists.
"Our business is to secure liberty," he added. "We don't invade or undermine
it."
The Sept. 11, 2001, attacks showed the country needed better communication and
interaction between agencies, Ashcroft said. That's what the Patriot Act provides,
he said.
"We were always instructed and guided by the principle that we would never work
outside the Constitution," Ashcroft said, in explaining the act's creation.
Critics say the Patriot Act erodes privacy and personal freedom. Interest groups
across the political spectrum have called for changes.
During Ashcroft's appearance at the Hotel Captain Cook, more than 40 protesters
stood in light rain outside, holding signs with messages such as "Dear John, You've
Killed the American Dream," "We will not watch what we say" and "Supreme Law of
the land is the constitution, not Ashcroft."
Amy Christiansen wore blue cloth around her chest and draped across her shoulder,
mocking the cloth Ashcroft ordered placed over a half-nude statue at the Department
of Justice last year. She said her outfit demonstrated Ashcroft's agenda, including
a justice system that limits citizens' civil liberties.
"I don't feel safe in my own country," said Christiansen, 41, a veterinary technician.
"I'm embarrassed to be an American."
UAA graduate student Sol Neely was openly enthusiastic about the resolutions
passed by the Anchorage Assembly and the state Legislature. Alaskans are politically
conservative but respect civil rights, he said.
"That makes me very proud to be in Anchorage," Neely said.
Assemblyman Allan Tesche, who sponsored last week's Anchorage resolution, said
most feedback he has heard on his resolution is positive. Expanding the Patriot
Act further would be a mistake, he said.
"Before we further ratchet down on civil liberties, we need to look at (the Patriot
Act) and how it has been implemented ," said Tesche, an attorney. "The overwhelming
number of people support what we did. So I'm really proud to stand with the Legislature.
We have done exactly the right thing." Close |