Don't Make All of Patriot Act Permanent

May 13, 2005 by Dorothy Ehrlich, The San Francisco Chronicle

Editor -- Regarding the article by former judge and U.S. Attorney Kevin V. Ryan, "Why all provisions of the Patriot Act should be reauthorized" (Open Forum, May 9): The Justice Department wants to make the entire Patriot Act permanent. But, that wasn't the plan, and there's no good reason to follow that course.

When Congress passed the Patriot Act barely 45 days after the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, the House and Senate overwhelmingly voted to "sunset" certain provisions in the new law. They did so for a reason.

The act was passed with virtually no debate, and in a time of national crisis. Its sweeping provisions eroded fundamental checks and balances Americans count on to protect rights and liberties against government abuse.

Section 215 empowered the government to secretly seize your private medical records, library records and business and travel records without any suspicion of individual criminal activity -- and it prevents anyone from telling you this was done.

Other provisions lower evidentiary standards, circumvent judicial review and allow secret surveillance of lawful political or religious activities.

That's why Republicans and Democrats, organizations across the ideological spectrum and resolutions from more than 350 communities in 43 states, representing 57 million people, call on Congress to reform the Patriot Act.

Rather than make these provisions permanent, it's time to bring this law back in line with the Constitution.

DOROTHY M. EHRLICH

Executive Director

American Civil Liberties Union

of Northern California

San Francisco