Now interpretation of the Conventions will likely be left up to the President.

They promised to restore checks and balance to surveillance programs. 

Now judicial oversight will likely be a thing of the past.

They promised to uphold your rights.

Now where are you to make sure they do?

This week the Senate will vote on three bills that threaten the Geneva Conventions and your right to privacy.  We must not let Collins and Snowe vote without hearing our voices.  Even if you have already called them, please call again.  The bills have changed and they need to know we are still paying attention.

Toll Free in Maine (800) 432-1599         D.C. Office (202) 224-5344
Auburn Office (207) 786-2451               Augusta Office (207) 622-8292
Bangor Office (207) 945-0432               Biddeford Office (207) 282-4144
Portland Office (207) 874-0883             Presque Isle Office (207)764-5124

Senator Collins:

D.C. Office (202) 224-2523                   Augusta Office (207) 622-8414
Bangor Office (207) 945-0417               Biddeford Office (207) 283-1101
Caribou Office (207) 493-7873              Lewiston Office (207) 784-6969
Portland Office (207) 780-3575

The bills in question are so-called "compromise" bills, but the only thing being compromised is our freedom.  Senate leaders who last week took a stand against White House proposals are now bowing to the pressure of election-year politics. 

Bills you should know about:

S 3931, a bill which would retroactively rubberstamp the administration's unilateral surveillance program without providing necessary congressional oversight

S 3930, a bill that would allow the President to interpret the Geneva Conventions as he sees fit, in order to "preserve" the Conventions in military commission trials.

S 3929, the scariest of all, which would combine the two issues for one vote.  It would be much harder to block the passage of a package bill.

Please call the Senators right away.  Here's what you can say:

• As your constituent, I oppose any attempts to ratify the NSA program to spy on Americans without individualized warrants, including S 3931.
• I also oppose the compromise bewteen the White House and Senators McCain, Graham and Warner on military tribunals.
• These proposals undermine the rule of law and violate civil liberties while giving a "get out of jail free" card to those who have broken the law.
• Please use all means at your disposal to stop these bills dead in their tracks.

The last time we checked, freedom and liberty were American values.  Don't let our leaders send them packing.
Once more, all together, let's take a stand against White House bully tactics and this flood of bad legislation. 

To find out more, go here.
Please call today.
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In other civil liberties news...

Help us commemorate Banned Books Week!  Join us for And The Banned Played On, an evening of Maine authors reading from their favorite banned books.  Friday, September 29th, 7 pm at SPACE Gallery in Portland.
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Somebody has to stand up for civil liberties.  Why shouldn't it be you?

Thanks for taking action.

Yours Truly,
Rachel

Rachel L. Myers
Field Organizer
Maine Civil Liberties Union
www.mclu.org