The attacks of 9/11 changed our lives forever.  Before you decide whether Rick Boucher has acted wisely concerning the security of America against terrorism, please read the following sequence of events.  Then, you be the judge.

Background:  Rick Boucher voted “NO” on 3/14/06 to the Anti-terrorism Act of 1996 – “that provides the government with increased leeway in investigation and prosecuting suspected terrorists and increases the penalties for attempting and executing terrorists acts”.  Again, he voted “NO”, instead insisting on more domestic federal spending (PORK) with “funding to be derived from INTELLIGENCE and DEFENSE budgets”.

5/22/96 …  Disclosure of Intelligence Spending Amendment – “to require the President to submit to Congress an annual, separate, UNCLASSIFIED intelligence budget detailing the aggregate amounts spent for intelligence activities”.  Boucher voted “YES” to making the information available … and unclassified.  Congress REJECTED the amendment.

10/12/01 … thirty days after 9/11 … The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 was a “vote to give the federal government a broad range of powers to combat terrorism”.  Congress PASSED it 337-79.  Rick Boucher voted “NO”.

10/24/01 … Patriot Act  -  “Grants law enforcement more authority to search homes, tap phone lines, and track internet use of suspected terrorists”.  Congress PASSED it 357-66.  Rick Boucher voted “NO”.

7/21/05 …  Patriot Act Reauthorization.  Boucher voted “NO”.  Congress PASSED it.

12/14/05 … Patriot Act Reauthorization.  Boucher voted “NO” again.  Congress PASSED it again.

3/7/06 … Patriot Act Reauthorization.  Boucher voted “NO” again.  Congress PASSED it again.

6/29/06 … Intelligence & Law Enforcement Resolution – “supporting INTELLIGENCE efforts to identify terrorists and track their finances in addition to condemning the disclosure of CLASSIFIED information.  Boucher voted “NO”.  Congress PASSED it.

9/28/06 … Electronic Surveillance Modernization Act – “to amend Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) of 1978 to allow the government to use electronic surveillance to investigate potential terrorists.  Boucher voted “NO”.  Congress PASSED it.

9/29/06 … Military Commissions Act of 2006 – “bill that creates a military commission to try unlawful enemy combatants for violations of the laws of war and establishes rules for conduct of those commissions”.  Boucher voted “NO”.  Congress PASSED it.

8/4/07 … Foreign Intelligence Acquisition – “authorizes the U.S. to monitor suspicious FOREIGN electronic communications – concerning suspected terrorists – routed through the country – without a court order”.  Congress PASSED the authorization.  Of course, and as could be suspected, the ACLU opposed the measure – based on civil liberties.  And … you guessed it … Rick Boucher voted “NO” to the measure.

Do you see a trend here on “fighting” terrorism?

With that track record in mind, how many times have we seen Mr. Boucher’s picture in virtually every local newspaper in the 9th District, with federal money for local law enforcement, fire houses, etc. – funds called ”first responders” to react to and prevent “terrorists attacks”?

Hmmm ….  .  You be the judge.