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 As Americans move forward from the shocking
events of Sept. 11, we must develop actions that permit prompt and
effective investigation and prosecution of those responsible for these
heinous acts. Additionally, we must prepare ourselves for the
possibility of war against those rogue nations that have aided and
abetted the terrorists. But despite the special measures we will need
to take to battle terrorism, we must remember that our strongest
weapon against anarchy and human destruction continues to be the rule
of law.
The terrorists who attacked our country would
like nothing better than to destroy the fabric of our democracy. We
cannot allow them to do that; we must keep our passions in check and
remain firm against ethnic or religious scapegoating. The terrorists
also seek to affect our daily lives by putting us in a state of fear
so that we cannot conduct business as usual. We must fight these fears
by maintaining control of our lives and by finding a new comfort zone
of living.
We know that some things will not be as they were
before the terrorists struck. Our leaders already have united to
address such complex issues as electronic surveillance, wiretapping,
computer encryption and immigration procedures. As a country, we need
to be ready for inconveniences, restrictions and the possible loss of
some liberties. We must make sacrifices to find and combat the zealots
who respect neither law nor religion. As Americans we share a common
burden, a responsibility created by our citizenship. It is one for
which lawyers are particularly prepared, and which we are ready to
embrace.
To help this effort I have created the American
Bar Association Task Force on Terrorism and the Law. The task force
draws on a range of experts: a former general counsel of the Central
Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency; a retired
brigadier general from the United States Army; and experts in the law
of business, immigration, civil liberties, aviation, international
affairs, technology, crime and civil liability. The task force already
is analyzing congressional and administration proposals, and is
prepared to help find an appropriate balance between national security
and individual liberty. The task force's work will form a thoughtful
basis for recommendations to federal leaders on these critical
matters.
We in the American Bar Association are confident
that our nation can achieve this delicate balance and preserve the
principles that have allowed our country to thrive for more than 200
years. We stand ready to assist our leaders in efforts to eradicate
terrorism and preserve the rule of law throughout the world. |
