John Doe Bill / Update: John Doe Joe

July 31, 2007 Lieberman escalates attack on Iraq critics

Vigilant American "John Does" may soon be safe from lawsuits - and safer from terrorists - thanks to Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-I, Conn.) and a key provision in the security bill that cleared Congress on Friday.

It borders on the obvious: Citizens who report suspicious activity in good faith to the authorities shouldn't have to fear being sued by whoever they finger, even - indeed, especially - if they were mistaken.

Ordinary Americans have foiled terrorist plots through their good sense and vigilance - most notably the recent bid to attack Fort Dix - and national security can't afford for anything to discourage them from performing this most basic civic duty.

So when six suspiciously acting Muslim imams filed a lawsuit against the passengers whose tips to authorities had them removed from a flight last November, Congress took up the matter.

Rep. Pete King (R-L.I.) co-sponsored an amendment to a transportation-security bill (soon merged with a measure to implement recommendations of the 9/11 Commission) that would protect those passengers - and others like them - from legal liability.

The measure passed the House by a vote of 304 to 121. A similar amendment (but to a different bill) drew nearly 60 votes in the Senate it looked like what some bloggers were calling "the Death Caucus" had killed the measure, but a hero stepped forward at the last minute to save it: Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, Senate chair of the conference committee.

In concert with Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., he restored the John Doe protection to the final bill. It should go back to both houses, and then on to President Bush, in early August.

While it only applies to individuals, and thus permits the imams' suit against US Airways to proceed, that corporation is big enough to defend itself -- and it's hard to imagine a jury of Americans finding the airline guilty.

There's also an interesting sidelight to the case. Led by blogger Michelle Malkin, an Internet-based "We are John Doe" campaign developed to support the amendment.

Her "John Doe Manifesto" says in part, "Dear Muslim Terrorist Plotter/Planner/Funder/Enabler/Apologist: You do not know me. But I am on the lookout for you. You are my enemy. And I am yours.

"I am John Doe. I will act when officials ask me to 'report suspicious activity.'

"I will embrace my local police department's admonition: 'If you see something, say something.' I am John Doe.

"I will put my family's safety above sensitivity. I will put my country above multiculturalism. I will not submit to your will. I will not be intimidated. I am John Doe." A victory for common sense
And I, too, am John Doe.


So you anti-American liberal Defeatocrats don't get your panties in a knot and start spouting your hate America BS.
We know Spartacus was crucified.




JOHN DOE BILL OK'D BY DEMS
The so-called "John Doe bill" would protect the tipsters as long as they acted in good faith and didn't knowingly make false statements.

At the same time the anti-American left defeated a Republican effort to authorize $3 billion for new border security and immigration enforcement.
Dems OK John Doe, but let them in anyway. *