Congress is finally listening to your letters and calls. But our representatives in Washington must keep hearing from the American people telling them to keep standing up for the Constitution.

We must send the strongest message possible to Congress: “Keep Standing Up to Bush Fear-Mongering!” Here’s where we need your help: Can you ask your friends to sign the petition? (There's copy you can forward to your friends at the end of this email.)

Something noteworthy is happening right now. The American people aren’t buying the administration’s propaganda -- in spite of administration officials issuing ominous warnings. Republicans have even launched a deceptive TV ad in the sensationalist style of "24." But, the American people aren’t falling for it. And so far, House leaders aren’t either.

Because of your help, we’ve got the fear merchants on the run. And we must insist that Congress -- with continued leadership from House Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer -- pass domestic surveillance legislation that keeps us safe and free.

There’s no predicting what happens next and no guaranteeing that House leaders will continue to hold the line. That’s why we need to keep the pressure on. Please click here to ask your friends to sign the petition -- or, send them a quick note like the one at the bottom of this email. And make sure to pay close attention to your ACLU emails in the crucial days ahead.

Thanks for all you are doing.

Sincerely,
Caroline Fredrickson, ACLU
Caroline Fredrickson, Director
ACLU Washington Legislative Office

P.S. If you'd rather cut and paste, here's a short note you can send to your friends.

Subject: Fear-mongers

Hey,

Finally, the House of Representatives has stood up to President Bush’s fear-mongering.

The Bush White House tried to bully the House of Representatives on an important bill that affects your privacy. With cries of “soft on terrorism,” they insisted that the House pass a bill giving immunity to telecommunications companies that handed over the phone and email records of innocent Americans without a warrant.

Now the Bush administration is doing everything they can to force Congress to cave in to their demands. Tell the House to stand strong against such tactics.

Join me and the ACLU and tell the House to put “Facts Over Fear.” Please sign the petition at:
www.aclu.org/factoverfear

Doing my part from around the world!

****


Finally, the House of Representatives has stood up to President Bush’s fear-mongering.

This week, the Bush White House tried to bully the House of Representatives on an important bill that affects your privacy. With cries of “soft on terrorism,” they insisted that the House pass a bill giving immunity to telecommunications companies that handed over the phone and email records of innocent Americans without a warrant.

But House leaders refused to be steamrollered by Bush’s fear tactics.

Now the Bush administration is doing everything they can to force Congress to cave in to their demands. Tell the House to stand strong against such tactics. The truth is, the government has all the power it needs to keep us safe and this legislation is unnecessary and unconstitutional.

Join me and the ACLU and tell the House to put “Facts Over Fear.” Please sign the petition:
www.aclu.org/factoverfear

In case you are not a member:

President Bush wants Congress to pass a bill that lets the government spy on the phone calls and emails of Americans without a warrant.

He also wants a bill that makes sure the truth about illegal spying on the emails and phone calls of Americans is never exposed. He does this by stopping lawsuits against phone companies that illegally handed over the phone calls and emails of Americans to the government.

But very soon, the Senate will vote on a bill to regulate spying on the emails and phone calls of Americans. What we don't know is whether Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will ask the Senate to take up a bill that was written closely with the Bush administration, or a more reasonable bill.

Tell Senator Reid you don’t want lawbreakers to be let off the hook. And you don’t want the government to seize your phone calls and emails without a warrant.

The bill Bush wants stops pending lawsuits against phone companies that illegally handed over the phone calls and emails of Americans. Stopping lawsuits that could uncover the truth about illegal spying lets him off the hook. And it gives no incentives for companies to follow the law in the future.

Senator Reid needs to hear from every American who wants him to stand up for our privacy and not let phone companies off the hook. You can take action by signing a petition to Senator Reid now.

http://action.aclu.org/reidpetition

I renewed my membership in the ACLU today. I'm tired of the conservative media boot stamping on the ACLU as the root of evil in our society, and I'm showing my support.