# Could a "Pro-Constitution" coalition protect U.S. citizens' rights?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-pro-constitution-coalition-protect-u-s-citizens-rights/202355>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [September 18, 2003, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-pro-constitution-coalition-protect-u-s-citizens-rights/202355 "2003-09-18T12:51:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ms2001](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ms2001/32/18463_2.png) [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\
**Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-pro-constitution-coalition-protect-u-s-citizens-rights/202355/21 "2003-09-20T00:38:42Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Bricker \*  
> **The ACLU link says, correctly, that this search power may only be used when the FBI certifies that the target is foreign intelligence investigation, or an investigation to protect against international terrorism, or clandestine intelligence activities – NOT “ordinary criminals”.**

> [@](#):
>
> [New terror laws used vs. common criminals](http://www.salon.com/news/wire/2003/09/14/patriot/)  
> Sept. 14, 2003 | PHILADELPHIA (AP) – In the two years since law enforcement agencies gained fresh powers to help them track down and punish terrorists, police and prosecutors have increasingly turned the force of the new laws not on al-Qaida cells but on people charged with common crimes.
> 
> The Justice Department said it has used authority given to it by the USA Patriot Act to crack down on currency smugglers and seize money hidden overseas by alleged bookies, con artists and drug dealers.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Fang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/96bed5/32.png) [@Fang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fang)\
**Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-pro-constitution-coalition-protect-u-s-citizens-rights/202355/22 "2003-09-20T01:16:52Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Evil Captor \*  
> \*\*many libertarians would gladly watch poor people starve to death while maintaining the sanctity of their precious ideology. \*\*

I take this to mean that you would gladly watch terrorists blow up buildings, and gladly watch the mafia extort money while maintaining the sanctity of your precious ideology?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![2sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/e47774/32.png) [@2sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2sense)\
**Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-pro-constitution-coalition-protect-u-s-citizens-rights/202355/23 "2003-09-20T07:18:52Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Gadarene \*  
> \*\*To follow up on what **mack** said: calling it a “pro-Constitution” coalition is absolutely meaningless. Everyone else is just as much in favor of “the Constitution” as you are. Even John Ashcroft. \*\*

Ahem.

* * *

Just my 2sense

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-pro-constitution-coalition-protect-u-s-citizens-rights/202355.md?page=1)