Last Saturday, Liz and I went to Sam’s Club (Wal-Mart’s version of Costco – something we didn’t know until after arriving). This was our first visit. At the membership desk was a prominent sign stating that due to the Patriot Act additional personal information was required for those applying for Sam’s Club credit cards. What does fighting terrorism have to do with Sam’s Club? The employee manning the desk said he would have to read the legislation to know. Here’s what the ACLU wants us to know:

Just 45 days after the September 11 attacks, with virtually no debate, Congress passed the USA PATRIOT Act. Many parts of this sweeping legislation take away checks on law enforcement and threaten the very rights and freedoms that we are struggling to protect. For example, without a warrant and without probable cause, the FBI now has the power to access your most private medical records, your library records, and your student records... and can prevent anyone from telling you it was done.

The Department of Justice is expected to introduce a sequel, dubbed PATRIOT II, that would further erode key freedoms and liberties of every American.

The ACLU and many allies on the left and right believe that before giving law enforcement new powers, Congress must first re-examine provisions of the first PATRIOT Act to ensure that is in alignment with key constitutional protections.

First Congregational United Church of Christ in Hillsboro, Oregon (where my sister Heather and her family attend) have been active in opposing the Patriot Act. Read about that church's work in United Church News.