One of the reasons, in my opinion, that we haven't had another terrorist attack since 9/11 is because citizens are more alert and aware of what is going on around them, and they aren't afraid to report suspicious activity.
Well, that was true before the the flying imams decided to sue passengers on their flight for reporting their suspicious behavior.
It seemed logical to me that authorities would want citizens to report suspicious behavior rather than ignoring it. Isn't that one of the ways we hope to prevent the next 9/11?
I guess the Democrats in Congress don't think so, which is why they cut language that protects citizens from lawsuit from the final Homeland Security bill.
Congressional Democrats today failed to include a provision in homeland security legislation that would protect the public from being sued for reporting suspicious behavior that may lead to a terrorist attack, according to House Republican leaders.
"This is a slap in the face of good citizens who do their patriotic duty and come forward, and it caves in to radical Islamists," said Rep. Peter T. King, New York Republican and ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee.
Republicans wanted the provision included in final legislation, crafted yesterday during a House and Senate conference committee, that will implement final recommendations from the September 11 commission.
There's no reason given why Democrats cut this provision. Suing people who speak up is a common tactic to silence individuals. Without this sort of protection, fewer people will be willing to get involved. And it isn't like people couldn't be charged with filing a false report if that's what happened.
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