We have a process in place for such - it’s called a damn search warrant, issued under probable cause, by oath or affirmation, before a PUBLIC magistrate ... Not a g-d “shall-issue for any cockamamie reason, no-holds barred, get whatever you want open ended fishing expedition” issued by a secret judge operating in a secret court. The pre 9/11 problem was the “wall of separation,” set up by Clinton operatives, to prevent the various agencies from sharing information - and some “my turf” ego BS by certain officers within those organizations ...
Moreover we had a spineless philandering predatory sociopath for a president, aka William J. Clinton, who - when handed OBL on a platter - had neither the integrity, the political will, nor the intestinal fortitude to exterminate the Muzzy SOB.
So, please spare me your ignorant bull crap.
* Sec. 215 - the much-feared "assault against librarians" - has not been used even once. Nonetheless, we strongly believe this is a weapon that must remain in the prosecutor's arsenal. There could well be cases, for instance, when it would be critical to learn whether a suspected terrorist is reading books on explosives or the structural design of office buildings, landmark sites, bridges or tunnels. It should also be noted that library records were instrumental in tracking down such murderers as the Zodiac killer and the Unabomber.
* Sec. 218 merely gives federal agents authority to conduct surveillance of cell phones and the Internet to the same extent they can surveil rotary phones. It would be foolhardy to let terrorists use the technology of modern telecommunications without fear of being detected.
The bottom line is that the criticisms by Gore and the other critics are shameful and irresponsible. Of course we gave our government added power in the aftermath of 9/11. These powers are essential to confront a new and deadly threat."
http://archive.frontpagemag.com/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=15112
Republicans of today are the Democrats of yesterday it seems.