HawaiiNews.com on State takes stand against Patriot Act:
Island lawmakers have made Hawaii the first state to take a stand against the controversial USA Patriot Act, passing a resolution “reaffirming the state of Hawaii’s commitment to civil liberties and the Bill of Rights.” Citing the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, the Hawai`i state legislature is now sending Senate Concurrent Resolution 18 to Hawaii’s representatives in Washington.
So far, 92 cities and counties have passed resolutions condemning the Patriot Act, according to the Bill of Rights Defense Committee, but Hawaii’s is the first at the state level. The Democrat-controlled House and Senate voted 35-12 and 21-3, respectively.
“The residents of Hawaii during World War II experienced first hand the dangers of unbalanced pursuit of security without appropriate checks and balances for the protection of basic liberties,” the resolution states. “The State of Hawaii urges its Congressional delegation to work to repeal any sections of the USA Patriot Act or recent executive orders that limit or violate fundamental rights and liberties protected by the Constitutions of Hawaii and the United States.”
Thank you Hawaii. That leaves forty-nine more to go.