Yesterday, Joe Lieberman, Independent Senator from Connecticut, proposed legislation that would remove a citizen's rights based on their affiliation with, or participation in, alleged terrorist acts. While this is clearly a political move driven by the past week's activities in Times Square, it is no less a shining example of the steady, if sometimes subtle, erosion of rights to which we should be accustomed.
The fact that I considered voting for the dark lord, Al Gore, solely based on his selection of Lieberman as a running mate aside, I must say that few proposals have been more glaring assaults on our civil liberties than was this. Lieberman proves that even "moderates" are susceptible to the lure of power and the elixir of public whim (note: quotes should surround all things associated with Washington, not just descriptions of Lieberman's supposed political positions). Fortunately for us, even those on the far left see this suggestion for what it is: both unconstitutional and dangerous to the basic idea of individual rights.
Following 9/11, I read of the Philippines passing legislation similarly worded to this. At the time, all I could think of was the malleability of words. What is constructive criticism today is terrorism tomorrow. No, we do not want terrorists freely carrying out their violent agenda in this country. Nor do we want politicians and bureaucrats exercising the degree to which terrorism can be defined. I would ask Mr. Lieberman to consider his proposed legislation a terrorist act against the constitution, but I'm afraid he proved his redundancy long ago and the message would be lost on him.
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