The Florida League of the South
We seek to advance the cultural, social, economic, and political well-being and independence of the Southern people by all honourable means.

November 01, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE

FROM - The Florida League of the South

TO - All news agencies in Florida

SUBJECT - Recently enacted U.S.A. Patriot Act of 2001; HR 3162

On Friday, 26 October 2001, both houses of the federal Congress, with virtually no opposition, passed the so-called ‘U.S.A. Patriot Act of 2001', also generically referred to as the ‘anti-terrorism bill’, and officially entitled HR 3162. This voluminous piece of legislation drastically amends many portions of long-standing federal laws regarding the operation of courts, police practices, definitions of crimes, and surveillance limitations. Its most sweeping and chilling provisions, however, deal a practical death blow to our most treasured liberties under the 1^st, 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th Amendments to the federal Constitution.

Section 213 of HR 3162 provides for, ‘delaying notice of the execution of a warrant’. In essence, this would allow police to enter your home, search and seize your property without your knowledge. More onerously, by showing, ‘good cause’, the courts could indefinitely delay notifying you. So much for being secure in your person, house, papers and effects and being deprived of your property without due process of law. Section 216 provides for greater latitude for wire tapping, telephone tracing, and capture of other electronic communications. Our phone calls and e-mails can be monitored and collected without our knowledge or consent. Section 316 sets rules for contesting the confiscation of property by the government. It gives the government the option of placing your case in an admiralty court (a military court where you have no civil rights) or ignoring the rules of admitting evidence if they think it might jeopardize the national security of the United States. Section 802 defines, ‘domestic terrorism’, as, ‘acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State;’. There is also provision against actions that, ‘intimidate or coerce’, civilians or influence government policy by the same. Broadly interpreted, as the government is apt to do, routine traffic violations, spanking your child, petition drives, phone calls and letters to congressmen, or public rallies could be considered terrorist activities. In the mainstream media, much has been made of this legislation’s, ‘sunset’ provision which forces its expiration in 2005. What hasn’t been reported is that there are notable exceptions that will never expire. Among those sections to remain in force are numbers 213 and 216. Also, there is an exception for, ‘any particular offence or potential offence that began or occurred before the date on which such provisions cease to have effect, such provisions shall continue in effect.’ Again, broadly construed, there could be no end to the tyranny unleashed by this legislation.

All of this despotism is packaged and sold to the American public as being necessary for our security and safety. We are considered unpatriotic (even un-American) if we do not fall into lock step and welcome this destruction of our few remaining liberties with open arms. If this attack on our liberty is allowed to stand, then we will be neither secure nor safe from either foreign enemies or from the maniacal actions of our government. Americans must stop fooling themselves into thinking that, ‘It can’t happen here.’ We are not immune from the same problems and shortcomings of human nature that have beset every other people and government throughout history. Tyranny has raised its head with the help of HR 3162. The questions before us are "Do we intend to be enslaved by our own government?" or "Do we intend to fight for the inheritance our forefathers left us?"

In this vein, the Florida League of the South, in the name, and on behalf of the people of the sovereign State of Florida, hereby call upon our local and State government officials to do all within their power to subdue this oppression of our liberties. The first, and foremost, reason for the existence of government is the protection of our lives, liberty, and property. The Cross of Saint Andrew, so prominently displayed on our State flag, proudly shows our Southern forefathers recognized but one Sovereign over us. We demand the protection of our State against this federal usurpation. Governor Jeb Bush should call the State legislature into a special session, and, at the very least, adopt a resolution condemning HR 3162 and stating our objections. Ideally, they should follow the example of 1832 South Carolina and adopt an ordinance nullifying the operation of this law within our State, require State and local officials to resist all federal attempts to enforce its provisions within our State via arrest of their agents, and demand that the Attorney General of the State of Florida immediately file suit against the federal government, challenging the unconstitutional provisions of the act before the Supreme Court of the United States.

Ultimately, if this is the kind of ever expanding tyranny to which we must be subjected while remaining a member State of the United States of America, trapped under its star-spangled banner, then the Florida League of the South would respectfully submit that we must seriously reconsider the merits of such a union. General Robert E. Lee was not charmed by the prospect of a ‘union’ held together by bayonets, nor did he desire a consolidated national government that would be aggressive abroad and despotic at home. We Southrons have always instinctively rejected such notions. Let us separate in peace and form a new Southern Republic with our sister Southern States, so that we may better protect our lives, liberties, and property. It would be far better for us to be free under a new government and a new flag than to be enslaved under the old ones. God save the South.

Mac Watters
State Chairman
Florida League of the South
P.O. Box 15007
Panama City, Florida 32406-5007
CSA
ph: 850/265-1659
mablestar@knology.net
www.freeflorida.org

THE LEAGUE OF THE SOUTH.........We Ain't Just Whistlin' Dixie!