Patriot Act: RNC fails to provide Congress copies of legislation . . . Again!

RNC rubber stamping looming.

It would be an outrage in Iraq, but America yawns, "It's not news."



Conyers writes

I read with some interest and considerable alarm last evening of press accounts of a proposed agreement. I hope that is not the case because I, like most conferees, haven't seen any such document,

Recall what happened last time the Patriot Act was being discussed: The members didn't have time to read it, they just voted.

However, Conyers didn't vote for it the first time, as should be applauded.

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There's something odd when, despite four years into a war, the Congressional leadership is not timely provided with information needed to make informed decisions.

There are several issues to consider:

Why are the discussions occurring without timely providing information to the Congress;

Why is the calendar set without due consideration to the needed time to review the documents;

Why is a vote contemplated without a credible plan in place to provide information more quickly than what we saw in 2001 in the wake of 9-11?

We encourage you to please join Congressman Conyers in this discussion at his blog.

It is a curious habit when national policy is formulated without reference to relevant documents, not just the Constitution but the facts needed to outline the opposing arguments.

We remain unclear what basis the RNC is using to justify confidence in the national party or national policy with these types of behavior. We would be quick to condemn the Iraqis if they were to do such a thing -- failing to provide materials to consider legislation would be decried as "proof of the failure of democracy in Iraq."

But, in America it is considered business as usual. Why are America and the RNC proud of the legacy of Iraq, which it cannot implement at home?

We can do better, not just for ourselves, but for the world to see: That we make decisions based on prudence, not on the ease in which they can be rubber stamped.

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There's no need to ask the RNC why this is happening -- you won't believe the excuses.

Use this outrage to motivate your activists to reach out to the RNC disaffected, and join you in creating a viable plan for the post 2006-election.