There has been plenty of news recently about the federal Patriot Act and its potential for violating our civil rights and expanding the options for identifying candidates for the terrorist watch list. However, there is state legislation in the final stages of approval that is even more Orwellian.
Guess what state this is happening in. Hint: it’s a four letter word starting with the letter “O”.
In March of 2005, the Ohio Senate passed the the initial version of the Ohio Patriot Act, SB9, by a vote of 32 to 0. The Poor Mojo Newswire listed some of the law’s “features”:
“For example, the bill would prevent a person whose driver’s license has been suspended to be reinstated if there is an active arrest warrant for that person.
The bill would require individuals and businesses applying for state licenses to answer six questions about whether they have provided aid to people or groups on the federal government’s terrorist-exclusion list.
Applicants would not get licenses if they answer ‘yes’ to any of the questions, unless they have not intentionally provided support within the last 10 years and the state Department of Public Safety determines they are not likely to do so.”
On December 14, 2005, the Ohio General Assembly passed an ammended version of SB9 by a vote of 69 to 23. It is now waiting on Ohio Governor Taft.
On December 19, 2005, NewsNet5.com reported, “The Ohio Patriot Act has made it to the Taft’s desk, and with the stroke of a pen, it would most likely become the toughest terrorism bill in the country. The lengthy piece of legislation would let police arrest people in public places who will not give their names, address and birth dates, even if they are not doing anything wrong.”
10 problems with SB9. Here is a summary:
Current laws are sufficient.
Amendments have not fixed the problems.
The issues surrounding the federal Patriot Act provide another example of what not to do.
More bureaucracy does not keep us safer.
We are getting too close to a “show me your papers” society. (I wonder if anyone considered issuing all state residents an arm band that says’ Non Patriot’ until they can prove to the state they aren’t.)
It violates the 5th amendment of the US Constitution, protection against self incrimination.
Duplicates crimes already listed in other laws.
Immigrants could be treated as terrorists.
Political dissent would be punished.
The public won’t be informed of potential dangers – (oh boy, more secrets.)
Andy Hailey