Good news

[blufive]

(Part of an ongoing campaign to prevent myself sinking into a dark pit of depression and apathy about current events, which seems awfully tempting right now)

I'm gratified to see individual US state Houses of Representatives passing bills like this (Hawaii) and this (New Mexico).

Some extracts from the Hawaii bill:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the [...] Legislature of the State of Hawaii, [...] the Senate concurring, that actions recently taken by the federal government pose a threat to the human rights, civil liberties, and constitutional protections of the residents of this State, and run the very serious risk of destroying freedom, security, and prosperity in a misguided attempt to save them

the Legislature requests that Hawaii's delegation to the Congress of the United States monitor the implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act, Homeland Security Act, executive orders, and federal departmental rules and regulations cited herein, and actively work for the repeal of those Acts, and the withdrawal of those executive orders, and federal department rules and regulations, that violate human rights and civil liberties stated in the constitutions of the State of Hawaii and United States, United Nations Charter, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Convention Against Torture, and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and Convention on Elimination of Racial Discrimination;

And the New Mexican one:

WHEREAS, New Mexico has a diverse population, including immigrants and students, whose contributions to the community are vital to its economy, culture and civic character;

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it [...] direct the New Mexico state police to
[...]
(2) seek adequate written assurances from federal authorities that residents of the state of New Mexico and individuals in the custody of the state who are placed in federal custody will not be subjected to military or secret detention or secret immigration proceedings without access to counsel and, absent such written assurances, refrain from assisting federal authorities to obtain custody of these individuals;
[...]
(7) refrain from undertaking or participating in any initiative, such as the terrorist information and prevention system, also known as TIPS, that encourages members of the general public to spy on their neighbors, colleagues or customers;

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it [...] direct public libraries to post in a prominent place within the library a notice as follows: "WARNING: Under Section 215 of the federal USA Patriot Act (Public Law 107-56), records of books and other materials you borrow from this library may be obtained by federal agents. This law also prohibits librarians from informing you if records about you have been obtained by federal agents. Questions about this policy should be directed to Attorney General John Ashcroft, Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20530.";

I believe both these bills have passed the relevant House of Representatives, and are awaiting ratification by the corresponding State Senates.