James Bovard takes on Ashcroft and the Patriot Acts I and II in Surveillance State--published in the May 19 issue of American Conservative. Bovard is the author of the upcoming Terrorism & Tyranny: How Bush's Crusade is Sabotaging Freedom, Justice, and Peace.

Welcome to America under the Patriot Act. One person claims to “smell something,” and the feds can round up everyone’s records. From books you check out to credit card purchases, money transfers to medications, your activities are now subject to federal surveillance. Uncle Sam now has a blank check to search and pry—all in the name of security.

Three months after 9/11, Ashcroft announced, “To those who scare peace-loving people with phantoms of lost liberty, my message is this, your tactics only aid terrorists for they erode our national unity and ... give ammunition to American’s enemies.” Ashcroft is wrong to portray any criticism of Bush administration civil liberties policies as aiding and abetting terrorism. America is overdue for a searching examination of the powers the Bush administration has seized and the powers it is seeking.

Why is it that so many Conservatives seem to get it while the Democrats remain catatonic when it comes to the loss of our liberties? [link via Buzzflash]