The Patriot Act and how patriots act
Re “True Patriots Act,” Opinion, July 3
Richard A. Kaye says that the Patriot Act is “Orwellian” and that the “specter of a passive citizenry surrendering its rights is sadly pertinent.”
I would like Kaye to enumerate those rights he has surrendered in connection with the Patriot Act.
He states that civil liberties are valuable and that the Patriot Act encourages an atmosphere of fearful watchfulness, xenophobia and the surrender of our freedoms.
I know that I haven’t surrendered any rights, freedoms or civil liberties, and I do not find myself in an atmosphere of fearful watchfulness or xenophobia.
The Patriot Act gives certain rights to the government to enable it to track suspected terrorists, all of which still are subject to a court review.
Giving the uninformed public a false impression of the Patriot Act does a disservice to the country.
Gary Aminoff
Los Angeles
*
How right Kaye is in “True Patriots Act.” A nationalist says, “My country right or wrong, my country,” but a true and caring patriot like a good parent says, “My country right or wrong, but if wrong, let’s correct it.”
More dangerous to our heralded and cherished freedoms than the forces we are told to fear is the loss of a loyal opposition that is afraid to speak out in defense of its beliefs and against the establishment.
For when that is completely silenced, democracy and the great American experiment will have ended.
Eleanor Jackson
Palm Springs
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
