Patriot Debates website

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: "sbaker () steptoe com" <sbaker () steptoe com>
Date: May 11, 2005 8:57:36 AM EDT
To: dave () farber net
Cc: "Albertazzie, Sally" <SAlbertazzie () steptoe com>
Subject: Patriot Debates website


Dave,

Your readers might find useful information about the USA PATRIOT  
debate at a website I've edited on the topic in my capacity as Chair  
of the ABA's Standing Committee on Law and National Security.  It  
features some of the best advocates on both sides -- and a Creative  
Commons license!

http://www.patriotdebates.com/

Stewart Baker

Here are a couple of reviews from people unconnected to the site:


"This collection of mini-debates among an ideologically diverse group  
of 17 experts is about the best imaginable introduction to the  
Patriot Act and the controversy that it has provoked. The book  
explains the more important and contentious provisions and juxtaposes  
the best arguments for and against them, presented by opposing  
experts in a readable and civil fashion. This format penetrates  
directly to which aspects of the law most concern serious civil  
libertarians; allows them to explain their specific concerns in  
detail; and proceeds to point-by-point responses from serious  
supporters of the Patriot Act and brief closing remarks by each side.  
In the process, Patriot Debates cuts through both the ignorant (not  
to say demagogic) alarmism of many critics and the complacency of  
some of the law’s defenders and gets to the heart of the surprisingly  
small number of major disagreements among opposing experts. It  
focuses attention on the sometimes difficult tradeoffs between  
liberty and security that Congress should weigh in the balance as it  
considers possible amendments and whether to reenact the 16  
provisions that are due to expire on December 31."

Stuart Taylor, Jr., Senior Writer and Columnist, National Journal


"The USA PATRIOT Act has helped modernize legal authorities to deal  
with the terrorist threat. But it also contains some provisions that  
potentially erode our cherished civil liberties. As Congress  
scrutinizes the Act and debates its reauthorization, this thoughtful  
compendium by the ABA Standing Committee on Law and National Security  
is an invaluable resource for policymakers."

Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.), Ranking Democrat House Permanent Select  
Committee on Intelligence





-------------------------------------
You are subscribed as lists-ip () insecure org
To manage your subscription, go to
 http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip

Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/