Dear Source:
It astonishes me that Sen. Ronald Russell, an attorney, actually believes that suspending the Fourth Amendment is going to result in a more orderly society. How could someone who is supposedly a legal expert advocate violating the U.S. Constitution? During his radio show on December 29, 2007, Sen. Russell explained that the passage of the Patriot Act by Congress justifies police conducting random searches and seizure of citizens' properties without a warrant. He acknowledged that under ordinary circumstances this would be unconstitutional, but assured the public that such drastic measures are necessary under a state of emergency.
His proposal for our Governor to declare the territory a state of emergency appeals to those who are anxious. The sentiment that we're under attack by domestic terrorists is shared by a few. The phobia of being assailed by terrorists is what prompted the drafting of the Patriot Act. The Act passed 45 days after the September 11, 2001 attacks. It expands the authority of U.S. law enforcement agency to fight terrorism in the United States and abroad. Additionally, the Act expands the definition of terrorism to include "domestic terrorism." In my opinion, though, the murders occurring in our territory are not the acts of any terrorist. Yes, like others, I am apprehensive of being a victim of a deadly assault; however, I am more terrified of losing my civil liberties–the right to criticize a senator, freedom of speech, equality before the law, and restraints on the exercise of police powers.
Let's not forget who was the senator who led the campaign to stop Roger W. Morgan from getting his license. Imagine what it would be like for police to enter homes in the middle of the night without a search warrant. Think about the annoyance of having your vehicle searched on the way to church. Most likely certain groups of people will be targeted. It would be easy for criminals to provide false information to distract and lead the police in the wrong direction. Is this the type of society we want? Do we want a militia state like Cuba or Haiti? Is this state of hysteria going to attract tourists? What does it say about the Governor's effort to fight crime?
U.S. citizens are in constant danger of losing their civil liberties. In 1798, the Alien and Sedition Acts allowed the deportation of immigrants deemed dangerous by federal authorities and made it illegal to criticize the government. During World War II, Japanese-Americans, most of them U.S. citizens, were removed to internment camps. The FBI's harassment of Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement and the CIA's involvement with the Mafia should remind us of the importance safeguarding our civil liberties. Some citizens in the territory possess illegal weapons to protect themselves since our police force is apparently unable to do so. These people are violating the law, but they are not terrorists since they are not a threat to the civilian population. Many juveniles resort to violence due to their involvement in illegal gambling and the drug trade. It also alleged that there are police officers engaging in criminal activities. Corruption by public officials is rampant.
To the best of my knowledge there is no criminal ring targeting a certain segment of the civilian population. We don't have anti- abortionists or violent animal rights activists like the mainland. Our government is not being intimidated by a group of extremists (unless you believe like Sen. Russell, the protesters of Act 6905 were terrorizing the government). Simply put, there is no "domestic terrorism" in the territory. The Patriot Act was applied in the Vieques Island protests and the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building. Do we have any situation in the territory remotely resembling these two examples?
It is hoped that any objection to suspending the Fourth Amendment is not misinterpreted as lack of concern about our crime problem. Everyone should be alarmed by the escalating violence in our community, but there is no sense in panicking. The threat of the Klu Klux Klan only exists in the imagination of Sen. Russell and his cronies. There is no evidence that Roger W. Morgan is plotting an overthrow of the government. There are laws on the books already to prosecute persons who violate them. Instead of creating hysteria, the focus should be on enforcing the current laws and utilizing modern technologies such as surveillance cameras to deter criminal activities. There should be more crime prevention programs for our youth; some senators should stop concentrating on stuffing their pockets and waistlines (compare the before & after appearances).
Verdel L. Petersen
Kingshill, St. Croix
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