Tracking terror

Patriot Games: Gonzales Defends Anti-terror Law

By Melissa Charbonneau
White House Correspondent

CBN.com – WASHINGTON - Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is under the microscope this week, testifying before Congress to save the Patriot Act. More than a dozen surveillance-related provisions of the law are scheduled to expire this year, unless they are renewed. Gonzales says that the anti-terror law is a tool critical to help law enforcement fight the war on terror, and he welcomes the chance to say how the Patriot Act has worked.

Gonzales says, "One, I think, good piece of evidence is that we have not had a domestic attack since 9-11. The Patriot Act was passed into law some 5-6 weeks after 9-11, and some people were concerned that perhaps, Congress rushed into this. But I was involved in the negotiations of the provisions of the Patriot Act. We were very careful, very deliberate. We obviously were all concerned about a second attack and wanted to move with deliberate speed, but we did so mindful of the values this country holds so dear."

When Gonzales was asked what he says to critics who say these provisions threaten civil rights. He responded, "A lot of the provisions people raised concerns about are provisions, or authorities, that already existed to law enforcement, dealing with other types of crimes, dealing with mobsters or drug kingpins. And it seems to me those same types of tools should be available to deal with terrorists."

Gonzales is not concerned that the law designed to track terrorists, that gives more leeway to search homes and business, and seize property, medical and library records will be turned against American citizens.

"There's judicial oversight, congressional oversight and additional safeguards,” assures Gonzales. “And again, I welcome this debate because I think these are very, very important tools. I think it's important to the American people to understand how these tools are being utilized."

When it comes to free speech, Gonzales places a premium on First Amendment rights, but he says that certain communications do not deserve the same protection. He is lending the full power of the Justice Department to prosecute adult obscenity -- a crackdown on par with the war on terror and violent crime.

Why is combating obscenity critical to the cause of justice?

Gonzales notes, “I think it's dangerous to our youth, and some people believe that pornography is addictive. And so, I think we have an obligation to ensure that our laws are enforced, and if people are engaged in conduct that are a violation of our laws."

America's first Hispanic attorney general, Gonzales says his background, like the President's, will color his approach

He says, "We understand what life is like in border communities, and that the realities are that we have people that go back and forth across the border every day to pursue a dream, to find a job to provide for their families. That's the reality of life today in certain parts of our country. And so, our immigration policy has to be realistic. It has to take into account the reality of life in border communities."

Gonzales continues, "On the other hand, we live in a post-9-11 world. It's very, very important we have a policy that doesn't allow terrorists to come into this country. In addition, I think it is fair to question whether or not we ought to have laws on the books that are ignored and not enforced. It's a very, very tough problem. If it were an easy problem, this would have been solved a long time ago. But it's something important to me because of our heritage. I know it's important to our president because of his experience as a former governor at a border state."

Another Gonzales priority is modern-day slavery. Asked what his greatest concern about human trafficking was, and what the Justice Department will do under his watch, Gonzales said, "Sadly, even in this great country of ours, we have more human trafficking within our own borders, and it's a horrendous problem. And [it’s] something I take very seriously and something we'll continue to make a big priority for the civil rights division."

Gonzales pledges to stay in the battle to push the President's judicial nominees through the blockade of Senate Democrats. He says each nominee deserves an up-or-down vote.

He says, "I've been involved for four years in trying to get the President's nominees confirmed, working as counselor to the president -- these represent lifetime appointments, and we all have seen this year how decisions of federal judges can make a tremendous impact on how we live our lives and the future of our children."

He continues, "In a way, it's good that this stalemate has elevated the discussion, so people are paying attention about how important decisions are about federal judges."

Gonzales calls judges a "president's most lasting legacy." But as for his own legacy, this son of Mexican immigrants who has become the nation's top law enforcement officer, overseeing a staff of 100,000, plans to wield his power and authority to carry out the president's agenda.

He states, "I will say this -- the President says that during this second term, we're not here to play little ball. We're here to play big ball. We're here to make a difference."

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