Terror panel weighs balance between security, civil liberties

By LAURENCE ARNOLD
Associated Press Writer

December 8, 2003, 9:55 AM EST


WASHINGTON -- An architect of the U.S. government's legal battle against terrorism defended the USA Patriot Act, telling a federal commission Monday the law empowers investigators to "wage a coordinated, integrated counterterrorism campaign."

Larry D. Thompson, a former deputy attorney general in the Bush administration, told the commission investigating the Sept. 11 attacks that counterterrorism laws should be strengthened so suspected terrorists are denied bail, and so prosecutors can move with more confidence against those who provide material support to terrorist organizations.

Thompson urged the government to make permanent several time-limited provisions of the Patriot Act, which expanded the government's surveillance and detention power.

But two law professors said the administration has gone too far in tipping the balance between national security and civil liberties.

more.........

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-nj--sept11commission1208dec08,0,742948.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire

when they haven't finished probing the screwups directly related to 9/11 is irresponsible.

What a joke. So instead of answers, we're going to get some sound bites for the Admin to justify the Patriot Acts (1, 2 and the actlets riding on other bills).

'nuff said, he's just there to tow the party line, a puppet, no credibility