As usual Christie gets it wrong

Christie is a lying sack of shit. He has it in his head that the Patriot Act was going to save lives when in fact it has accomplished the opposite. The NSA was so busy going through your private yet legal emails that the Boston bomber slipped right past them. No,Mr. Christie,the Patriot Act is not the answer but just like with medical marijuana you get it wrong all of the time.Perhaps that is why your poll numbers suck.

Getting down to the wire

From Rand 2016:

Tomorrow I will force the expiration of the NSA's illegal spying program.

I will not allow any bill extending illegal NSA spying to be rushed through ahead of the deadline.

My oath is to support and defend the Constitution and I won't back down.

The abuse of general warrants and the attack on the Bill of Rights must stop once-and-for-all.

We don't have to choose between fighting terrorism and obeying the Constitution.

That's why, two years ago, I sued the NSA.

It's why I proposed the Fourth Amendment Protection Act to force our government to abide by the Bill of Rights.

It's why I have fought for a full, open and honest debate on warrantless domestic spying -- a debate that is always kicked down the road in the name of "security."

So last week, with the proponents of this illegal spying rushing toward a deadline to ram through renewing illegal spying, I took a stand.

I filibustered for over 10 hours to shine a light on the vast expansion of the spy state and the erosion of our liberties.

I stood on the Senate floor until the early hours of the morning and helped block any short-term extension of these powers.

Tomorrow, the Senate will come back from recess with just hours left before the NSA's illegal spying powers expire.

And I won't allow defenders of the spy state to legislate through a manufactured crisis by holding a deadline over the head of Congress.

Let me be clear: I believe the number one job of the federal government is national defense.

I believe we must fight terrorism and I believe we must stand strong against our enemies.

But we do not need to compromise the Constitution in the process.

In fact, we must not.

I am ready and willing to start the debate on how we fight terrorism without giving up our liberty.

This can't be delayed any longer.

I do not do this to obstruct.

I'm fighting for a strong national defense that upholds the Constitution and protects Americans from enemies who seek to do us harm.

So I hope I can count on you to sign your petition and stand with me as I force illegal NSA spying to expire and stand strong against any deals or threats.

In Liberty,

Rand Paul

Back Rand Paul as he stands up to the statists to defeat the Patriot Act

From Rand2016:

While many Americans are gearing up for another early-summer weekend, I'm gearing up for an all-out fight Sunday afternoon.

When you and I won our stunning victory last week -- defeating every attempt to extend or reauthorize the worst of the so-called "PATRIOT Act's" ILLEGAL spying provisions -- that was just the beginning.

Since then, I've been attacked viciously by the Obama White House -- the same President who ran for office pledging to end these spying schemes as part of the "hope" and "change" he was offering the American people -- for daring to stand up for the Constitution I swore to uphold as a U.S. Senator.

That's business-as-usual for the Washington Machine: Campaign on nothing but lies -- and then deliver the American people the status-quo.

If you want a new direction in Washington, I must be able to count on your IMMEDIATE action.

With only about 36 hours left, time is running out. So please chip in $20.16 to my campaign's "NSA Spying Showdown" Money Bomb right away, and then forward this email to everyone you know.

Our Founders were willing to give up everything to ensure Americans' God-given rights were protected -- ultimately drawing a line in the sand AGAINST any government encroachment on our freedoms with the Bill of Rights.

Today, the Bill of Rights is under assault like never before by members of BOTH parties. And the Fourth Amendment right to privacy against government intrusion is at the top of their list.

Instead of hauling in the NSA lawbreakers who crafted these ILLEGAL domestic spying programs -- and then lied about it before Congress -- my colleagues in the Senate are now looking for ways to excuse and extend the schemes.

They tell you and me we have to give up every bit of our Liberty for security -- while ignoring the fact the FBI admitted this program has cracked exactly ZERO terrorist plots!

You and I don't have to give up one ounce of our Liberty for security.

But it's up to you and me to ensure our government spends its time targeting those who are truly dangerous -- instead of fumbling through law-abiding American citizens' phone records.

This is not a fight you and I can ignore.

It strikes to the very heart of what it means to be an American.

I believe free people can best live their lives out from under the control or watchful eye of government bureaucrats.

But the Washington Machine believes security can only be had in the arms of Big Brother.

If the American people buy this lie, I fear our fragile Republic may not long survive.

We must fight back.

Please chip in a contribution of $20.16 to my "NSA Spying Showdown" Money Bomb right away.

In Liberty,

Rand Paul

Back Senator Rand Paul this Sunday

From Rand 2016:

Barack Obama effectively labeled me Enemy #1 for refusing to back down on ending illegal NSA snooping, taking what one major news outlet referred to as a direct "swipe" at me and my campaign.

I don't mind a bit.

Midnight Sunday is the line President Obama drew in the sand yesterday when he demanded the U.S. Senate pass the House-approved "reform" bill to keep bulk collection of the American people's phone data going.

I've drawn my line in the sand too. And I'm not backing down.

On Sunday, I'm going to fight to END the NSA's illegal spying program with everything I've got.

Can I count on you to be in my corner on Sunday?

And can I count on you to please chip in a contribution of $10 or more to help me mobilize a grassroots army of freedom-loving Patriots to end the NSA's illegal spying program?

As someone who took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution, I refuse to stand by and allow Congress to continue the NSA's illegal spying program without putting up a fight.

The Second Court of Appeals - the court right below the Supreme Court - just ruled the program illegal.

Instead of demanding Congress continue the NSA's illegal spying program, Barack Obama should take action and end the illegal program himself.

After all, it was an Executive Order that started NSA spying in the first place. And it can be undone by Executive Order.

But Barack Obama refuses to budge.

So on Sunday, I plan to end the illegal program for him.

Will you pledge to stand with me as I stare down Barack Obama and his spy state allies on the Senate floor by adding your name to this fight?

If I'm going to slug it out Sunday with the spy state apologists, I'm going to need all the help and support I can get.

Unfortunately, it seems the president, the senior senator from Arizona and other members of the "eye roll" caucus who can't stand any mention of the Bill of Rights are all operating out of the same playbook.

They've all painted a giant target on my back as someone who must be railroaded in order to ram through some type of phony "reform" bill before midnight Sunday.

If Barack Obama and his spy state allies wish to continue the NSA's illegal spying program after midnight Sunday - they're going to have to first get through me - and the hundreds of thousands of Patriots standing in my corner!

I'm counting on you to be one of those Patriots in my corner on Sunday.

So please let me know you've got my back by adding your name to the fight to end illegal spying.

The good news is, the Washington Machine's smear campaign proves you and I are winning this battle.

The American people are sick and tired of business as usual, and our message is resonating among Americans of all backgrounds.

In fact, recent polls have me defeating Hillary Clinton in key swing states like Colorado, Iowa, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.

One member of the media even called me "Hillary Clinton's Kryptonite!"

So once you've added your name to this fight, please forward this email to your friends, family, coworkers and neighbors and ask them to join you and me in this fight by adding their name.

As I mentioned, I'm taking on the entire Washington Machine - from the White House on down on Sunday.

That's why I need as many folks with me as possible in my corner.

So after you've added your name, can I count on you to please chip in $10 to help me mobilize as many Patriots as possible before Sunday's deadline?

Are you with me?

In Liberty,

Rand Paul

Force the unconstitutional Patriot Act to expire

From Campaign For Liberty:

Over the weekend, the liberty movement delivered some heavy blows in Round 1 against the surveillance statists.

And while three unconstitutional provisions of the so-called "Patriot" Act are closer than ever to expiring on midnight June 1, you can be sure we're in for the fight of our lives on Sunday, May 31.

It's time for the Senate to allow these provisions to expire.

But you can guarantee the surveillance state won't go down without a fight.

Right now, compromises are being negotiated, and deals are being cut.

That's why Campaign for Liberty needs to raise an additional $50,000 to keep our hard-hitting "Stop the Surveillance State Banner Bomb" running.

These ads are crucial to C4L being able to continue reaching millions of Americans about this important fight, targeting Senators who should be with us, but refuse to Stand with Rand in defense of our civil liberties.

With the USA FREEDOM Act only needing three more votes invoke cloture (parliamentary speak for moving forward with a bill), you and I have a much heavier lift than the statists trying to extend these authorities.

To stop the Obama-approved USA FREEDOM Act from being rammed through Sunday night, the American people must be heard loud and clear on Capitol Hill!

That's why in addition to running the hard-hitting banner ads on Facebook and Google in targeted states, I need 50,000 Patriots to sign their "I Object!" Citizen's Objection to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and their U.S. Senators.

And in order to have this program all in place to maximize the effect, you and I need to do this by Saturday, May 30, at midnight.

Five days to raise $50,000 and gather 50,000 objections to illegal NSA spying!

I know that's a high bar to set.

But each time I've called upon the liberty movement to act in the past, concerned Americans like you have risen to the occasion.

Thanks to Campaign for Liberty members like you, our "Stop the Surveillance State Banner Bomb" has been one of our most effective defensive battles.

As late as Friday night, Campaign for Liberty was still creating and purchasing new banner ads, adding more Senators to our target list.

The results of our program speak for themselves.

Despite pulling every procedural trick he could think of, Majority Leader McConnell was stunned at not even being able to get a short-term extension of the expiring "Patriot" Act surveillance provisions.

Senator Paul's objections to even a one day extension sent shockwaves across the nation.

Imagine when they hear these objections LOUD and CLEAR from Americans like you across the country!

After saying for weeks the Senate would not go home until the "Patriot" Act was reauthorized, in the early hours of Saturday morning, the Senate adjourned until May 31.

This strongly suggests the statists believe they can get the votes needed to ram the USA FREEDOM Act into law at the last minute.

And it's up to you and I to stop them.

I know that's a lot to ask, but with such a short time to raise the funds necessary for this program I'm counting on everyone to step up.

Of course, if $30 is too much, then please consider a generous contribution of $20 or at least $10 .

These funds will go toward keeping our hard-hitting "Stop the Surveillance State Banner Bomb" running well in to Round 2.

Then after you've made your most generous contribution, I'm counting on the liberty movement to generate as much pressure as we can, which is why I hope you'll sign your "I Object!" Citizen's Objection to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and your U.S. Senators.

This is our best opportunity yet since October 2001 to begin rolling back the surveillance state and reclaim our lost liberties.

But five days is all you and I have to do it.

So after you've donated to the Banner Bomb and signed your Citizen's Objection, won't you please forward this on to your friends and family and encourage them to take action?

We cannot let this opportunity slip through our grasp!

For Liberty,

Ron Paul
Chairman

P.S. This past weekend, my son Rand took a stand for the American people by objecting to any extension of the so-called "Patriot" Act -- even for one day.

Now it's time for you and I to stand up and let Congress know you object as well.

Please make your most generous contribution of $30 , $20 , or at least $10 today to help Campaign for Liberty turn up the heat on the U.S. Senate.

Keep the pressure on the Senate to let the Patriot Act expire

From Rand 2016:

The clock is ticking and I need your help.

When the Senate returns from recess on May 31st, just 8 hours remain for the spy state apologists to try and cobble together a deal to extend the so-called "PATRIOT Act" and illegal domestic spying.

I just finished my interview on Fox News Channel's The Kelly File and I am emailing to ask for your immediate support to turn up the pressure on the Senate to end illegal domestic spying once-and-for-all.

Can I count on you to stand with me by adding your name to my fight to put a stop to the NSA’s bulk data collection program?

And after you join the fight, please chip in your most generous contribution to my campaign’s "Swamp the Senate" Money Bomb.

With just days remaining before the deadline, I need to prove to my colleagues the American people are calling for their government to abide by the Bill of Rights.

That’s why I need your immediate support for my campaign’s money bomb.

Defenders of the surveillance state were FURIOUS when I stood on the Senate floor for 10.5 hours and forced a delay in voting on extending the so-called "PATRIOT Act."

And they were scrambling when just past one in the morning on Saturday, I led my colleagues in objecting to every proposed extension of illegal spying.

But deadlines are when the Washington Machine and its allies in Congress exert pressure on my colleagues to roll over and "pass something."

The Obama administration is even claiming this program is necessary to stop terrorist attacks.

But a Justice Department Inspector General Report revealed ZERO cases where the NSA’s illegal bulk data collection program prevented a terrorist attack.

In fact, our government was so bogged down sifting through innocent Americans' electronic communications that it missed a foreign intelligence service tipping us off about the Boston bomber.

The time to end this illegal domestic spying is right now.

And with only 8 hours of floor time until the so-called "PATRIOT Act" expires on June 1st at 12:01 AM, this is a fight you and I can win.

But I need to know you stand with me.

Please add your name to this fight right away.

And after you add your name, chip in a contribution to my campaign’s "Swamp the Senate" Money Bomb today.

Your support will allow me to reach true patriots from coast to coast to turn up the heat on the Senate to finally END illegal domestic spying.

So please stand with me today.

In Liberty,

Rand Paul

Keep the pressure on to defeat the Patriot Act

From Rand2016:

What a week!

It all culminated last night around 1:30 AM when the U.S. Senate attempted to ram through legislation to keep the NSA's illegal domestic spy programs alive.

The first vote was on the House passed "reform" bill, which still allows bulk data collection under another method.

It failed, leaving spy-state apologists only one option - to ram through some type of short-term extension of the unconstitutional "Patriot" Act.

I stood up to the surveillance state every step of way.

I refused to back down - objecting to EVERY short-term extension attempt made last night.

As a result, the Senate was forced to adjourn WITHOUT reauthorizing the "Patriot" Act - meaning the beast is set to expire on May 31st.

When the Senate comes back into session next Sunday, they'll have only 8 hours to pass a bill before the "Patriot" Act expires.

That means if you and I can hold the spy state off for only 8 more hours, we'll relegate the NSA's illegal spy program to the trash bin of history where it belongs.

But to do that I'm going to need your help throughout next week.

The truth is, this fight is extremely important to our future.

The Founders understood Liberty cannot long survive without privacy.

Most conservatives know government registration of firearms would ultimately lead to gun confiscation.

It's no different with the rest of our lives.

Once government bureaucrats know every aspect of our lives - what we watch, what we buy, what we eat, where we worship - it won't be long until they try to run them "for our own good."

That's why it's critical you and I hold the spy state off for 8 more hours on May 31st.

My staff is preparing a few videos of exactly what happened last night on the Senate floor.

As soon as they're uploaded and ready, I'll be sure to send them to you.

Thanks to your support, you and I won a stunning victory this week. We proved if freedom-loving Americans stand and fight the Washington Machine - we can win!

But I'm afraid our job is not over yet.

So I hope I can count on you to continue to stand with me in this fight.

In Liberty,

Rand Paul

To sign petition and donate

Section 215 update: keep the pressure up

From Demand Progress:

Tonight, we achieved what the conventional wisdom had deemed utterly unfathomable.

There are never any permanent victories in politics — and tonight’s is undoubtedly particularly fragile and must be cradled over days and weeks and months to come.

But the Senate just easily rejected attempts to extend expiring Patriot Act authorities.

No matter what comes next, tonight's vote against the extension of Section 215 represents a victory for democracy over totalitarianism; for open government over secret law; for reasonability over hysteria.

Demand Progress and our members have been at at the forefront of efforts to rein in bulk surveillance since just after our org’s inception four years ago. We have helped organize more than one million actions in opposition to mass spying — including encouraging and facilitating the activism of 250,000 people who support sunsetting Section 215 — over just the last ten days.

This most recent effort has been as part of a broad coalition of organizations, including the Bill of Rights Defense Committee, Color of Change, CREDO Action, Daily Kos, Democrats.com, Fight for the Future, Free Press, Left Action, The Nation, The Other 98%, RH Reality Check, RootsAction, and Win Without War.

Now, without further action by the Congress, the authority the NSA exploits to spy on most Americans’ phone calls will expire when the calendar turns to June 1st.

It’s still technically possible for Congress to extend the expiring provisions, but the opportunity grows narrower with each passing day and with each extra person who speaks out against doing so.

Please click here to tell your lawmakers to continue to block the reauthorization of Section 215.

We’ll undoubtedly be asking even more of you over the next week or so, as we approach the final hours before sunset. And after that, we'll ask for even more help! To more deeply constrain other forms of illegal and anti-democratic spying.

But for now, take the weekend to relish that you have been part of achieving what seemed impossible just weeks ago.

And then we'll press on.

-Demand Progress

Remind Congress to let Section 215 and other unconstitutional provisions retire by exhausting the time limit

From Demand Progress:

Americans were outraged to learn that the NSA has been spying on all of us — and a federal court ruled just a few days ago that this behavior is illegal.[1]

Yet this week Congress stands on the verge of reauthorizing some of the worst parts of the PATRIOT Act for another five years.

Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act — that's the authority that the NSA exploits to collect data about almost all of our phone calls — expires on June 1st. This week and next week Congress will take up legislation to extend it.

Investigations into the phone data collection program have made it clear that it does not make us safer. It's the project of a rogue surveillance agency that makes up its own rules and is never held accountable to the public. It's time to change that.

While mass surveillance doesn't reduce the threat of terrorism, it poses a severe, ongoing, unacceptable threat to our most cherished rights, the Constitution, and our democracy.

With key Patriot Act provisions about to expire, now's our best chance to rein in mass surveillance.

Just click here to tell Congress that it's time to put an end to mass spying on Americans — let the Patriot Act sunset!

1.Source

Tell Congress not to reauthorize the spying provisions of the Patriot Act

From Rand2016:

Washington, D.C. doesn't need a massive, illegal and unconstitutional domestic spying program to "listen" to the American people.

They could do so right now.

They could heed the voices of millions of true patriots like you from all over the country and stop ANY reauthorization of the so-called "PATRIOT Act's" spying provisions.

With so-called "PATRIOT Act" spying provisions expiring on May 31st, I'm going to lead the fight against any attempt to extend this dangerous scheme and filibuster with everything I have.

I promise they will hear us. I promise they will not be able to just brush you and me aside.

If they're going to continue this unconstitutional madness, they're going to have to railroad me in front of millions of Americans who want our federal government to start obeying the law.

This is a defining moment for you and me.

The Big Government establishment of BOTH parties is furious.

They know last week's court decision declaring the NSA's metadata program ILLEGAL gave you and me a massive shot of momentum.

Instead of hauling in federal lawbreakers before Congress, they just want to paper over the NSA's domestic spying programs and keep the status quo.

I guess they want us to think the Founding Fathers would be just fine with the Big Brother surveillance state they imagine for this country!

Nothing could be further from the truth.

The Founders included the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution because they understood that as soon as government bureaucrats know exactly how we live our lives, it won't be long until they try to run them.

Almost every conservative I know opposes national gun registration.

They know that's just the first step toward firearm confiscation.

These NSA spying programs effectively allow the government to register and catalogue everything we do!

I'm not backing down, but I must be able to count on you to stand with me.

The only way Washington, D.C. will ever change is if you and I keep fighting to change it.

Please sign your STOP SPYING ON INNOCENT AMERICANS petitionnow.

And if possible, please agree to your most generous contribution to help me reach out and mobilize even more Americans.

There's not much time before the May 19th deadline, so please act right away.

Thank you for all you do.

In Liberty,

Rand Paul

Support Senator Rand Paul in defeating the Patriot Act

From Campaign For Liberty:

Senator Rand Paul threw down the gauntlet today -- threatening to FILIBUSTER any attempt to reauthorize the section of the so-called "Patriot" Act that allows the NSA to continue it's metadata spying program.

If Senator Rand Paul filibusters the "Patriot" Act, he's going to need a lot of extra muscle from the grassroots.

And that's exactly what C4L's "Stop the Surveillance State Banner Bomb" is designed to do.

Can I count on you to chip in an emergency contribution of at least $10 to our Banner Bomb immediately?

Campaign for Liberty staff has created hard-hitting Facebook, Google, and Internet banner ads targeting fence-riding Senators.

When the vote comes to a head, C4L will flood the Internet with these hard-hitting ads in target states, generating maximum pressure on Senators to oppose the so-called "Patriot" Act.

But,we must raise $50,000 by midnight Thursday to prepare the program for launch.

So,won't you chip in an emergency contribution to our Banner Bomb immediately?

Thank you in advance for your support.

-- Amanda Lee

For more information

Perserve your civil liberties by telling Congress to act in favor of the people concerning the Patriot Act

From Campaign For Liberty:

Dr. Paul and I wanted you to see Norm Singleton’s Legislative Strategy memo outlining why it is so important you support C4L’s “Stop the Surveillance State Banner Bomb” aimed at fence-riding senators thinking about voting to extend the “Patriot” Act.

Norm has worked with Dr. Paul for over twenty years, fifteen of them spent on Capitol Hill as Dr. Paul’s top legislative and policy adviser.

No one in the liberty movement knows as much about the inner workings of Capitol Hill as Norm.

Dr. Paul and myself rely on his analysis and it’s a pleasure to share what may be one of the most important legislative strategy memos he has ever written.

I cannot think of a better person to explain the opportunities and challenges the battle over the surveillance state presents the liberty movement.

I hope as you read this you will agree to help fully fund our “Stop the Surveillance State Banner Bomb” by chipping in a contribution of $30 , $20 , or $10 .

In Liberty,

John Tate
President

Legislative Strategy Memo

TO: Ron Paul, Chairman
John Tate, President
FROM: Norm Singleton, Vice President of Policy
CC: C4L Staff and Members
RE: C4L's efforts to block “PATRIOT” Act extension

Overview:

As you know, several provisions of the so-called “PATRIOT” Act, including Section 215 (used by the National Security Agency to justify its controversial metadata collection program) sunset at the end of May.

For the reasons outlined below, the upcoming debate on reauthorizing those provisions provides us with a great opportunity to start rolling-back the surveillance state.

At the very least, this battle can enable us to alert more Americans to the dangers of mass surveillance and join our efforts. This is why I believe we must devote as many resources as possible to our “Stop the Surveillance State Banner Bomb.”

Unfortunately, two years after the Snowden revelations we are still getting phony, watered-down reforms from the House. Next week, the House of Representatives will consider the USA FREEDOM Act (USAF). Sponsors of this bill claim that it ends bulk collection and protects our rights.

However, an examination of the details of this bill shows that it does not end warrantless surveillance or bulk data collection.

Phony, Watered-Down Reforms:

USAF simply places some small limitations on the government’s ability to conduct these programs. So at most, the bill will slightly curtail the existing metadata program, assuming the NSA does not find ways to get around even the minor restraints imposed by this bill.

Friday’s Second Circuit Court decision that the NSA’s metadata collection is not authorized by current law may actually make this worse since the court only found the 215 bulk metadata collection program illegal because it lacked statutory authorization.

Passage of the USA Freedom act may thus void the decision by authorizing, for the first time, certain types of bulk metadata collection -- albeit with some “limitations!”

One reason this bill is so weak is that the House leadership told the Judiciary Committee they would not allow any “reform” bill to come to the floor unless the House Intelligence Committee supported it.

As both of you know, the Intelligence Committee is full of the most die-hard supporters of the surveillance state in Congress.

In fact, the current Chairman of the Committee once referred to Justin Amash as “Al-Qaeda’s best friend” because of Representative Amash’s efforts to end mass surveillance.

So the fix was in.

At the Judiciary Committee mark-up, Representative Ted Poe of Texas and Representative Raul Labrador of Idaho both offered amendments that would have provided Americans with real protections from warrantless surveillance.

Both of these amendments were rejected even though many members spoke in favor of them. But those representatives admitted the reason they were voting against the amendment was because they had heard that amending the bill to enact real protections of our liberties would “blow up the deal.”

Senate "Bait and Switch":

In the Senate, the situation is even worse. Senate leadership is attempting to divert our attention away from the flaws in USA FREEDOM Act with a classic “trick play.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has introduced a clean “PATRIOT” Act reauthorization bill extending these provisions until 2020 and placed it directly on the Senate calendar.

However, Senator McConnell is well aware that there are not the votes to pass clean reauthorization in the House, and he likely lacks the votes in the Senate to pass it too.

So why is Senator McConnell doing this? Information I have picked up from both the "inside-the-beltway" media and the conversions with our allies on the Hill indicates that McConnell may be trying to divert attention away from the problems with the USA FREEDOM Act.

Believe it or not (and I know you will both have no problem believing this) many of our inside-the-beltway “allies” are once again falling for McConnell’s trick.

These “leaders” are frankly working to pass the USAF in order to stop McConnell from passing his clean reauthorization bill into law.

They are doing this even though (as I pointed out above) McConnell does not have the votes to pass a clean reauthorization bill.

More importantly, when you examine both proposals, the practical result of passing USAF would be nearly the same as passing McConnell’s bill.

Falling for the “we must pass something bad to avoid getting something worse” is an exceptionally poor strategy since, if Congress does nothing, Section 215 and other PATRIOT Act provisions expire in three weeks.

In other words, all we have to do is keep legislation extending the Sec. 215 program off President Obama’s desk for three weeks and we win!

That is why Campaign for Liberty's “Stop the Surveillance State Banner Bomb” is so important.

Since we are not falling for McConnell's scheme, we are one of the few groups positioned to play a key role in this debate.

If we raise the funds to implement the complete program, we can flood popular websites like Facebook with ads alerting pro-liberty Americans to the upcoming votes and mobilize them to put the heat on Congress.

This will enable us to bury the Senate with petitions demanding Congress reject both the USA FREEDOM Act and any clean reauthorization of the PATRIOT Act.

Battle is in the Senate:

In my discussions on Capitol Hill with friendly and undecided offices, I believe that while we should not totally ignore the House, our best change to defeat the bill is in the Senate.

Tim Shoemaker and I have analyzed the situation in the House and concluded that House leadership is going be able to cobble together a coalition of pro-surveillance members desperate to expand the “PATRIOT” Act and those desperate to "do something" about surveillance but unwilling to fight leadership.

In the Senate, however, one Senator can delay pro-surveillance legislation giving us time to build support against any phony “reform” bill and take advantage of the sunsetting provisions to either force the Senate to allow the Sec. 215 and other provisions to expire or pass real anti-surveillance legislation.

As you know, Rand has already said he will oppose USA FREEDOM, a straight reauthorization bill, or any other legislation that allows the NSA to continue to spy and snoop on innocent Americans without a warrant.

All we need to do is convince a handful of senators to vote with Rand and we can block any pro-surveillance state legislation from passing the Senate and reaching President Obama’s desk.

Of course, our success ultimately depends on us getting the support of our members to fully implement the “Stop the Surveillance State Banner Bomb.”

It’s vital our members understand the importance of fully funding the “Stop the Surveillance State Banner Bomb” by making their most generous contribution of $30 , $20 , or $10 .

To sign the petition

Tell these 8 Senators to oppose Section 215 of the Patriot Act if it remains in its unconstitutional form

From FreedomWorks:

End the NSA's Lawless Spying
468 calls reported

The NSA’s unconstitutional, warrantless spying needs to end!

Obama is using a short-term provision in the Patriot Act to spy on all of your electronic records. Obama’s snoops are exploiting Section 215 to make sure they can collect all of your phone, email, and electronic data without a warrant!

There will soon be a vote to reauthorize Section 215 of the Patriot Act. When the Patriot Act is reauthorized, the temporary section (Section 215) must be reformed to protect your 4th Amendment constitutional rights. The government must get a specific warrant before searching your personal phone data.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants to give Obama exactly what he wants: a clean reauthorization of Section 215 of the Patriot Act.

8 Republican senators can stand up to him and protect our privacy. Our right to privacy shouldn’t be violated by the NSA.

Call these 8 Republicans today. Urge them to stand against any reauthorization of Section 215 of the Patriot Act that doesn’t end bulk collection of phone data!

Talking points:

- Mitch McConnell wants to pass a clean reauthorization of Section 215 of the Patriot Act – and give President Obama everything he wants.

- Right now, Obama's NSA is unconstitutionally collecting the phone data of innocent Americans without specific warrants.

- If Section 215 of the Patriot Act is going to be reauthorized, then it needs to be reformed so that a specific warrant is required to collect the phone data of innocent Americans.

- Stand up for the 4th Amendment and stop any reauthorization of Section 215 that doesn’t end bulk collection of data without a warrant.

These are the U.S.Senators to contact:

Senator John Boozman
Office Phone: (202) 224-4843
Email

Senator Mike Enzi
Office Phone: (202) 224-3424
Email

Senator Joni Ernst
Office Phone: (202) 224-3254
Email

Senator Deb Fischer
Office Phone: (202) 224-6551
Email

Senator Pat Roberts
Office Phone: (202) 224-4774
Email

Senator Mike Rounds
Office Phone: (202) 224-5842
Email

Senator Dan Sullivan
Office Phone: (202) 224-3004
Email

Senator Thom Tillis
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Protect your liberties tell Congress not reauthorize Section 215 of the Patriot Act

From Demand Progress:

Congress is back in Washington after a two-week recess, and reauthorization of the Patriot Act is on the agenda.

According to House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, the chamber could take up three key sections of the Patriot Act set to expire in June as early as this month1 — including Section 215, which the NSA has exploited to claim unprecedented power to conduct bulk collection of millions of phone calls every single day.

Legislators have yet to settle on their plans, and intelligence agencies are gearing up to make sure these provisions are reauthorized. That's why we need to get loud, and now.

Can you make a quick phone call to your representative and ask that they vote against reauthorizing Section 215 of the Patriot Act?

We can't blame you if you're feeling a sudden sense of déjà vu. While the most questionable provisions of the Patriot Act, like Section 215, were only initially authorized for a fixed number of years, Congress has reauthorized them every single time since passage of the Patriot Act in 2001.

Mass surveillance has violated the privacy of millions of innocent Americans who have never even been suspected or accused of a crime. And according to the White House's own Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, it hasn't made a difference in making us safer.2

Click here to call and tell your representative: continued NSA mass surveillance is a nonstarter. Say no to Section 215 today!

It's super easy — just enter your phone number and zip code, and we'll patch you through to your member of Congress. And if you have an extra moment, just press * instead of hanging up and we’ll connect you to important Judiciary Committee members, who oversee surveillance legislation.

This is a defining moment for our civil liberties, and these phone calls to Congress can really make a difference. Can you call your representative today?

Thanks for taking action.

—David, Daniel, Mark, Sara and the rest of the Demand Progress team

Source:

1. House eyes possible early plans to renew Patriot Act

2. Report on the Telephone Records Program Conducted under Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act and on the Operations of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court

Patriot Act is up for reauthorization,let's get rid of it

From Campaign For Liberty:

There's no security like prison walls.

And without your action today, I'm afraid that's exactly what will continue to be built all around us with the NSA's rampant domestic spying program.

Make no mistake. The NSA - with the Obama administration's full blessing - is collecting YOUR emails, your phone records, and your text messages.

They're collecting your Internet searches, your instant messages, online purchases, and Facebook posts.

The only good news is, if you and I can turn up enough pressure on Congress, I'm convinced we can take a huge step toward rolling back the surveillance state.

You see, Section 215 of the so-called "PATRIOT" Act is set to expire on June 15, 2015.

This is the section of federal law the surveillance-state apologists at the NSA, and their congressional allies in BOTH parties, use to justify the bulk collection of law-abiding American citizens' phone calls, emails, and Internet activity.

If you and I can stop reauthorization, I'm convinced we can bring the statists' domestic spying programs to a crashing halt.

That's why I'm counting on you to please sign your STOP THE SURVEILLANCE STATE petitions IMMEDIATELY.

STOP OBAMA's SURVEILLANCE STATE

As you'll see, these petitions insist your U.S. Representative and Senators vote "NO!" on any legislation reauthorizing the NSA's massive domestic surveillance program.

The truth is, I believe this is a fight for the very future of our Republic.

No government in the history of mankind – not even the Communist East German Stasi - has ever held the massive spying power our Federal Government holds over law-abiding U.S. citizens today . . .

And no government in world history that's ever sought this type of power has even been able to avoid the temptation for abuse.

Of course, I know the statists in Washington, D.C. say they're different. They just say, "trust us and everything will be ok."

But how can we, knowing our government has targeted political opponents, like Martin Luther King, routinely in the past?

How can we after the IRS – under this President - was caught red-handed targeting limited government organizations?

How can we after the U.S. Justice Department was illegally wiretapped reporters who dared criticize them?

How can we while watching members of BOTH parties drive our national debt to over $18.1 TRILLION and watching our President go around Congress, attempting to rule by decree, like a petty dictator?

I know the statists' excuse is "security." But regardless of what buzzword they use to defend their assaults on our freedoms, their enemy is ALWAYS the same.

It's our privacy. Our liberty. Our "greed" in wanting to keep some of the money we've rightfully earned.

Just since the lid was blown off our federal government's domestic surveillance programs in the summer of 2013, we've seen countless stories hit the press regarding NSA abuses, including:

***NSA employees spying on ex-lovers and spouses - a practice so common, the intelligence community has come up with their own jargon, i.e. "LOVEINT", to describe it;

***REFUSING to say whether or not it's spied on Members of Congress, which would effectively destroy any ability of our government's Legislative Branch to police this rogue agency;

***Effectively GUTTING attorney-client privilege by holding these confidential records.

In fact, one Bloomberg news report states that the NSA "deliberately ignored restrictions on their authority to spy on Americans multiple times in the past decade."

In fact, there are literally thousands of examples of abuse.

But this should be no surprise. Men aren't angels. No,but then again neither are women. Neither are politicians and government bureaucrats.

What's made our country the greatest and freest nation in human history is that our Founders created a Constitution that limited the government's power, and, therefore, the damage evil men and women can inflict.

But today, our Constitution's Fourth Amendment – which protects American citizens right to privacy from government – is under assault like never before.

With it, the protections you and I have against the actions of evil men and women, holding the reins of our own government, are dropping like flies.

You and I must take a stand.

The good news is, opposition to government spying is higher today than any time over the past decade. Even the so-called "PATRIOT" Act's original author is now having second thoughts and public "concerns!"

That means you and I can STOP the reauthorization of Section 215 of the so-called "PATRIOT" Act, and stop the statists' all-out war on the Fourth Amendment.

But it's vital you sign your STOP THE SURVEILLANCE STATE petitions right away.

STOP OBAMA's SURVEILLANCE STATE

Time is running out. The surveillance state apologists are going to do whatever they can to reauthorize Section 215 quickly and, very likely, quietly.

That's why I've instructed Campaign for Liberty staff to pull out all the stops using mail, email, Internet ads, and even targeted radio and TV ads if I can raise the resources.

In fact, my hope is this program will rival even our efforts to pass Audit the Fed in scope and size!

But I can't do any of this without you.

So won't you please agree to your most generous gift of $30 right away?

I know that's a lot. If it's too much, please give $20 or at least $10 .

Like you, sometimes I feel like we're watching the police state nightmare from George Orwell's 1984 being built all around us.

So won't you please join me in shouting "DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER!" before it's too late - before the idea of American liberty is nothing more than a distant memory?

Please sign your STOP THE SURVEILLANCE STATE petitions along with your most generous gift of $30 , $20 or at least $10 TODAY!

For Liberty,

Dr. Ron Paul
Chairman

P.S. Section 215 of the so-called "PATRIOT" Act - the section of law statists use to justify the collection of law-abiding American citizens' phone calls, emails, and Internet activity - is set to expire on June 15, 2015.

If you and I turn up enough heat on Congress to stop reauthorization, I'm convinced we can bring the statists' domestic spying programs to a crashing halt.

That's why I'm counting on you to please sign your STOP THE SURVEILLANCE STATE petitions along with your most generous contribution of $30 , $20 or at least $10 TODAY!

Tell Congress to stop NSA mass surveillence

From Demand Progress:

Key parts of the Patriot Act expire soon -- so we have a new opportunity to push back against ongoing, illegal, mass surveillance of Americans.

Will you join our coalition effort demanding that Congress put an end to mass spying?

The government has used the Patriot Act to claim enormous new powers to spy on all of us -- and has lied about it with impunity.

It's gone too far, but this spring, key provisions of the Patriot Act are set to expire – including one that the NSA claims lets it collect private data about all of our phone calls.

It's illegal and ineffective, and it must STOP.

Join us and our partners as we tell Congress that we can't allow unconstitutional mass surveillance of Americans to continue.

This spying is so offensive that the original sponsor of the Patriot Act, Representative Jim Sensenbrenner, is urging colleagues to sign a letter asserting that they will vote against reauthorization if the law is not amended to ban mass surveillance.

More signatures on the letter mean more power for us and our allies as the Patriot Act approaches its sunset.

Will you click here to urge your lawmakers to sign it the letter? It'll just take a second, and will strengthen our position as we approach the Patriot Act expiration.

We've come close to reining in the NSA several times -- with your help, we can win this one.

-Demand Progress