Kaltura
The ACLU is sponsoring an initiative to let members of Congress know just how many people care about the rule of law and other constitutional precepts. Take some time to sign their Constitution Voter pledge.

Glenn did a great interview with Carolyn Frederickson of the ACLU that is well worth a listen.

Yesterday, Sen. Russ Feingold chaired an important SJC hearing on restoration of the rule of law. Prof. Marty Lederman graciously gave us a preview on Monday of what he and others were sending to the committee.

Sen. Feingold has posted the witness statements submitted, along with a number of "amicus" briefs from a number of organizations and individuals that are worth reading. But it was this, from Suzanne Spaulding, that I wanted to share (PDF):

We are all familiar with the “soft-on-terror” charge of having a “September 10th” mindset.” In truth, no American who experienced the horror of September 11 will ever again know the luxury of a September 10th mindset. The greater concern is being stuck in a September 12th mindset, unable or unwilling to understand the lessons we’ve learned since those terrible early days. This is the mindset that undermines America’s long-term security.

On September 12, 2001, for example, we lived with a deep sense of fragility as we waited in fear for the next attack. Over the subsequent days and years, however, Americans returned to their daily lives, just as the people of London went back down into the subways after their own attacks. We learned that resiliency is an essential and powerful weapon against terrorism. It means knowing that there may be another attack, but refusing to live in, or make decisions based upon, fear. When politicians and policymakers fall back on that September 12 mindset of fear to convey their message and promote their policies, they undermine that essential public resiliency. On September 12, we thought we could defeat terrorism by going to war. Today, most of us understand that we are engaged in a battle for hearts and minds, competing against the terrorists’ narrative of a glorious “global jihad” that attracts idealistic young people looking for answers. The image of an America committed to the rule of law and ensuring that even suspected terrorists get their day in court is a powerful antidote to that twisted allure of terrorism. Continuing to work towards the ideal of the shining city on the hill, contrary to the fears of some, is how this country will ultimately prevail against the terrorists.

We also sought, in those first days and months after September 11, to “balance” national security and civil liberties, as if they were competing objectives on opposite sides of the scale. We thought we could only get more of one by taking away from the other. Over the past seven years, however, we’ve been reminded that our values are an essential source of our strength as a nation….

Yet, on September 12, it seemed to some that our careful system of checks and balances was a luxury we could no longer afford. We’ve seen since that an avaricious arrogation of power by the executive leads to a dangerously weakened President. Our government is strongest when all three branches are fulfilling their constitutional roles. Still, there are those who would seek to limit the role of the courts and seem unwilling to insist that the President follow the laws passed by Congress….

It is essential, as this committee clearly understands, to move beyond our fears and fully understand what makes us strong.

Would that were so for the whole of this nation as we sit here, on Constitution Day, and try to remember that we are a nation of laws, not of frightened, angry sheeple.

(Video is one done by Remix America of some blog folks in Denver at the Big Tent. You may just recognize a few folks. It’s the Declaration of Independence, not the Constitution, but the sentiments are pretty clear.)