September 2003

by Howard Rosenfeld

On Tuesday, August 19th, a newly formed coalition presented a draft resolution to the Olympia City Council in support of civil liberties and against the USA Patriot Act. City Council Member Curt Pavola acted as the point person for the City of Olympia and has been working with organizers from the coalition. All city council members present that evening spoke to the resolution, except for Doug Mah and Jeannette Hawkins (Hawkins was absent). There were 8-10 people who spoke, all in favor of the proposed resolution. Coalition member Bruce DeLoria (Thurston County ACLU) also met . . .

July 2003

by Thom Hartmann

Many Americans are suggesting that the Patriot Act (and its proposed "improvements" in Patriot II) is totally new in the experience of America and may spell the end of both democracy and the Bill of Rights. History, however, shows another view, which offers us both warnings and hope.