Please write Sen. Thune

I got a request for action from Jennifer Ring of the SD ACLU today. This is important stuff. I sent a note to Sen. Thune which is attached.

Friends -

Today two South Dakotan Delegates are attending the ACLU Day of Action to Restore Habeas Corpus. Senator Thune declined to meet with them. We are asking for your help. Please contact the Senator and ask for his support in restoring Habeas Corpus, let him know that we are concerned his decision to not meet with them may indicate he is not willing to support restoring Habeas Corpus. Please contact him today, if at all possible. His contact information is:

Phone: 202-224-2321
Toll Free: 1-866-850-3855
Email Link: http://thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Email


Thank you,

Jennifer Ring
Executive Director
ACLU of the Dakotas
701-461-7290

Here is my response:

Dear Sen. Thune:

I am concerned by your decision not to meet recently with representatives of the ACLU about the issue of restoration of the rights of habeas corpus to individuals detained
according to certain anti-terrorism statutes. Can you clarify your position on this issue?

I urge you to consider supporting such legislation that will restore the right of habeas corpus. The recent Dept of Justice rulings and legislation legalizing government behavior in the areas of interrogation techniques and incarceration without trial or charges lowers our standing in the world and makes our soldiers less safe when we ask for such protection from regimes around the world that have little respect for our heritage of the rule of law and restriction of government power against even the most unpopular of persons. It gives them a blank check to do
whatever they want to their own people or members of our military. We must do all we can to protect our civil liberties. It's in our national interest and certainly in the interest of all of humanity.

Please support legislation to restore the right of habeas corpus.

Thank you.

Curtis Price
Rapid City, SD