Mis-leaders: Prosecutors Playing Patriot Game? | August 22, 2003 12:10:37: "The Justice Department is urging U.S. attorneys to press members of Congress who opposed a controversial anti-terrorism provision in the USA Patriot Act, the Washington Post reports.

.. part of a broad publicity campaign to defend the Patriot Act from charges that it violates civil liberties, according to internal department documents obtained by the newspaper.

The director of the executive office for United States Attorneys, Guy A. Lewis, encouraged federal prosecutors, in an Aug. 14 memo, 'to call personally or meet with . . . congressional representatives' ...

A list of names and phone numbers of House members was included with the memo, with the names of those who voted in favor of the amendment marked by an asterisk

Democrats are questioning whether the campaign violates the Anti-Lobbying Act, which bans government employees from most legislative lobbying. "

Whether or not this is illegal, it clearly indicates the way in which this administration is systematically undermining the separation of powers.

Ashcroft's attempts to preserve the Patriot act is a good example of the strategy of this admin. As it seeks to accumulate unprecedented executive powers, it undermines our constitutional rights and protections. And they will do and say anything that they think will get them what they want.

I am just glad that some of the media and some members of congress have the guts to report the facts and expose the hypocracy of this gang of mis-leaders.
- posted by geoff @ #