"As nightfall does not come at once,
neither does oppression. In both
instances, there is a twilight when
everything remains seemingly
unchanged. And it is in such twilight
that we all must be aware of change in
the air, however slight, lest we become
unwitting victims of the darkness."
--William O. Douglas,
U.S. Supreme Court Justice
It is the duty of the patriot to protect
his country from its government." --
Thomas Paine
The Patriot Act was passed by Congress to help in the fight against
terrorism. Unfortunately you can not wrap Communism up in an
American Flag and call it Patriotic. The very first thing I will propose
to the board of Commissioners is a Patriot Act Resolution. There are
359 Civil Liberties safe zones in the US right now. 4 States and 355
cities and counties have passed resolutions to protect their 55,168,702
residents civil liberties. 7 cities and counties in North Carolina have
passed resolutions. Below is the text of the Durham County Resolution.
I also urge you to read my Patriot Act Q&A page.
Resolution Concerning the USA Patriot Act
Durham County, North Carolina
WHEREAS, the United States Congress has passed Public Law 107-56 entitled ?Uniting and
Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism
(USA Patriot Act) Act of 2001"; and
WHEREAS, serious questions have been raised concerning certain provisions of the Patriot Act especially
as they relate to the Durham County Library and the rights of the citizens of Durham County to be secure
in their homes; and
WHEREAS, § 213 of the Patriot Act allows for ?sneak and peek? searches of people?s homes without
notifying the homeowner of the search; and
WHEREAS, § 215 of the Patriot Act allows the search of records of patrons of the Durham County
Library which are confidential under State law; and
WHEREAS, while the Board of Commissioners recognizes the need for laws to protect the citizens of
Durham County and the United States from terrorists, these laws should not be used to invade the privacy
of United States citizens or conduct illicit covert surveillance of ordinary Americans.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR THE COUNTY OF DURHAM
DOTH RESOLVE:
1. The Congress of the United States is called upon to conduct hearings regarding the appropriateness of
the provisions of the Patriot Act and any abuses which may have occurred under the authority of the
Patriot Act.
2. The Congress of the United States is further requested to consider the modification or repeal of §§ 213
and 215 of the Patriot Act, and to enact a privilege providing for the confidentiality of records maintained
by public libraries by amending F.R.Evid. 501.
3. The County Manager shall send copies of this resolution to the Congressional delegation representing
the citizens of Durham County and to the members of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of
the House of Representatives and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.
This the 22nd day of September, 2003.
(SEAL)
Teste: A true copy.
_____________________________
Garry Umstead
Clerk to the Board