Tuesday, July 24, 2007

John Doe Protection Not Dead Yet

The King amendment that the Democrat leadership has attempted to strip out of the transportation security bill going through Congress is causing quite a stir. Michelle Malkin reports on the most recent developments from Audrey Hudson of the Washington Times that there is mounting pressure from the public to put this legislation into effect. Despite the best efforts of leading Congressional Democrats, this issue has been kept alive by Senators Joe Lieberman (Ind, CT) and Susan Collins (Rep, ME), and Representative Peter King (Rep, NY). And, of course, by the huge numbers of American citizens that are pummeling Congress with angry calls and messages to get this provision into law.

It still blows my mind that anyone could fail to see how this basic protection of Americans following the 'see something say something' campaign introduced after 9/11 is anything but good. The only argument I've seen against it is that it could allow racial/ethnic profiling, but that's an incredibly flimsy excuse. For one thing, even the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) -- which is the group sponsoring the 'Flying Imams'' lawsuit -- has said it does not oppose immunity legislation: "Our concern has never been with reports made in good faith by ordinary people". For another thing, let's let common sense work in our favor here. If it looks like a tiger, roars like a tiger, and eats meat like a tiger, then chances are good it's a tiger. Should people be afraid to call a tiger a tiger? To do anything else would be insanity, and an invitation to 9/11 part 2.

As the editors of Investor's Business Daily write, "Despite overwhelming support in and out of Congress, legal protection for airline passengers who report suspicious behavior is being blocked by Democratic leaders." "Were it not for the courage and sacrifice of the passengers of United Flight 93 who forced their plane into a Pennsylvania field, many in Congress might not be here today, with a gaping hole where the U.S. Capitol still stands. We wonder if this fact is appreciated by those trying to block final passage of the so-called "John Doe" provision protecting from legal action those who report suspicious behavior on airplanes."

Keep calling and writing your own representatives, as well as the following key Democrats who are blocking the amendment:
Congress switchboard: 202-224-3121
House
Nancy Pelosi: 202-225-4965
Bennie Thompson: 202-225-5876
John Conyers: 202-225-5126
Senate
Harry Reid: 202-224-3542
Patrick Leahy: 202-224-4242

Tell them that to neglect this basic protection of Americans attempting to protect themselves and their loved ones would be a horrible mistake for which they will be held responsible. The Democrat leadership is trying to kill this amendment, but a surge of opposition from the American people can -- as with the failed amnesty bill -- once again win the day and help protect 'John Doe'.

There's my two cents.

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