August 26, 2004 Letter to Senators Warner and Allen and Representative Moran
PO Box 8208
Alexandria, VA 22306-8208
August 26, 2004
The Honorable John William Warner
United States Senate
225 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4601
The Honorable George F. Allen
United States Senate
204 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4604
The Honorable James P. Moran
U.S House of Representatives
2239 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-4608
Dear Senators Warner and Allen and Representative Moran:
As your constituent, I urge you to undertake a thorough and careful assessment of the 9/11 Commission Report and ensure that any Congressional legislation to implement its recommendations protects core civil liberties. I do not want to see Congress succumb to election year politics or a rush to act for the sake of acting. We should not repeat the errors of the PATRIOT Act, which went too far, too fast, and sacrificed core civil liberties and rights in the name of security.
I am concerned that based on general recommendations in the 9/11 Commission Report, some lawmakers are considering legislation that would dictate national standards for driving licenses. Federal standards for driver’s licenses is a national ID through the back door, and would limit our basic freedoms and endanger our privacy by accessing and integrating huge amounts of personal information included in state and federal databases.
I am also concerned about proposals to expand controversial “no fly” and “automatic selectee” aviation security lists. Before these lists are expanded, Congress must create an effective process to ensure that innocent travelers can clear their names.
At the same time, while considering the Commission’s other recommendations, Congress should address the 9/11 panel’s criticism of pervasive secrecy and over-classification in government. Legislation to fix this culture of “too many secrets” must include substantive reforms to reduce excessive secrecy, increase real public and Congressional oversight of intelligence activities, and provide for better protection of both whistleblowers and minority viewpoints during policy creation.
Again, I hope that you will make every effort to ensure that legislation responding to the 9/11 Commission report does not sacrifice core liberties and freedoms in the name of security. I believe that we can be both safe and free and I hope that you will act judiciously in protecting our constitutional rights and freedoms.
As a former Marine NCO, I am deeply disappointed that such un-American tactics are being considered by legislators who used to be considered patriots. Adopting the tactics of banana republics and fascist thugs will provide security. But it will ensure the ultimate destruction of the Bill of Rights. I look forward to hearing your perspective on this matter without apologist platitudes and excuses. You cannot trade liberty for security. Without the former, there is absolutely no need for the latter.
Sincerely,
James Landrith
September 1, 2004
Mr. James Landrith
P.O. Box 8208
Alexandria, Virginia 22306-8208
Dear Mr. Landrith:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the final report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. It is always a pleasure to hear from my fellow Virginians on issues of such great national importance.
The Commission’s report is a very important contribution to our national dialogue on the war on terror. I think that many parts of it can provide a roadmap for things that must be done to strengthen our ability, not only in intelligence, but across the board, to provide for America’s common defense. Of course, the unhesitating acknowledgment of the co-chairmen of the 9/11 Commission is that America is safer today. I agree with the commissioners in this respect. And, despite the fact that we can never guarantee complete safety, I think that the Bush Administration and Congress have largely succeeded in achieving the security goals they have had within the timetable for achieving them.
As our Nation works to confront the threats we are encountering today, I am reminded of the first time I was privileged to become chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee in 1999. One of my first acts was to create a new subcommittee to deal exclusively with emerging threats and capabilities. In so doing, Congress provided itself with a vehicle that continues to help the Department of Defense new concepts in the areas of joint experimentation, homeland defense, counter-terrorism, and technological development. We must now look at how to build on these past achievements as we work to enhance the intelligence elements of our national security structure.
We must not, however, do anything hastily. Our intelligence service, even with the flaws that have been pointed out, remains the best in the world, by far. It is not perfect, and its business is, by definition, one of uncertainty, but any changes we make must be carefully constructed to preserve its existing excellence. Moreover, as we consider changes, we must remember that intelligence is an integral part of our military operations. We must not accidentally undermine the close relationship that has been carefully developed between the Intelligence Community, the Department of Defense and the foot-soldiers in the war on terrorism.
Of course, Congress is vigilant, and I take issue with the sweeping indictment that Congress has been dysfunctional in its oversight. I am happy to say that the I have already held two hearings focusing on the implications for the Department of Defense and military operations of proposals to reorganize the intelligence community. And, it is important to remember that the Commission itself was, in many respects, created as a consequence of the actions of Congress. Disappointingly, Congress was not allowed to contribute significantly to the 9/11 Commission’s final conclusions – I believe a cooperative spirit must now be our first priority and our highest aim.
I have always been prepared to listen to how the responsibilities of the legislature and the executive branch should be changed for the better. Accordingly, I believe that it is incumbent upon Congress and the President to have a strong self-examination of the areas covered by this report. President Bush, in convening a task force on national security and homeland security, has already demonstrated his commitment to formulating a unified response to the challenge ahead. Out of what must be a careful deliberative process, I hope will evolve such changes as might be necessary to strengthen our capability to deter and, if necessary, engage further in the war on terror.
Thank you again for writing me on this important issue. If I can be of any further assistance, do not hesitate to contact me in the future.
With kind regards, I am
Sincerely,
John Warner
JW/rod