May I ask a surprising question? Do U.S. citizens need help from South Africa and other free countries?

Detention without trial was once intolerable in the United States. So intolerable that, for example, the U.S. government actually donated funds to my organization to help such detainees in South Africa. By doing so, the country risked offending its neo-Nazi allies who were then ruling that country, of which I am a citizen. Now, ironically, my country is free and some of us feel we ought to try to help U.S. citizens to regain their freedom.

Having helped us in our dark days, I want to urge you not to plunge into the darkness that we were pushed into by the fear, greed and arrogance of a few in fear of the many.

Many of you seem unaware that the passage of the Patriot Act into law puts your freedom into jeopardy. The act violates some of the most basic tenets of a civilized jurisprudence. It subjects both foreigners and U.S. citizens (hitherto protected by the Constitution) to arbitrary arrest, searches and surveillance. It empowers the government to detain its own citizens without trial, without access to a lawyer, forever if deemed necessary.

What have Maine’s Senators Collins and Snowe, and Representatives Allen and Michaud, done to protect Mainers from this violation of their Constitutional rights? Have they informed you how the act will affect you? What are they doing about it in Congress now?

Kenneth N. Carstens, Albany Township

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