Posted on 02/14/2005 8:59:15 AM PST by Dan from Michigan
Bush Urges Renewal of Patriot Act
44 minutes ago White House - AP
By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - President Bush (news - web sites) on Monday urged Congress to reauthorize the USA Patriot Act, the Justice Department (news - web sites)'s widely criticized anti-terrorism law.
AP Photo
Reuters Slideshow: President Bush
"We must not allow the passage of time or the illusion of safety to weaken our resolve in this new war" on terrorism, Bush said at a swearing-in ceremony for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales at the Justice Department.
The president also argued that the Senate must give his nominees for the federal bench up-or-down votes without delay to fill vacancies in the courts.
The Patriot Act, passed in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, bolstered FBI (news - web sites) surveillance and law-enforcement powers in terror cases, increased use of material witness warrants to hold suspects incommunicado for months, and allowed secret proceedings in immigration cases.
Civil liberties groups and privacy advocates lambasted the law because they said it undermines freedom. But Bush said the act "has been vital to our success in tracking terrorists and disrupting their plans." He noted that many key elements of the law are set to expire at the end of the year and said Congress must act quickly to renew it.
The Patriot Act was pushed by Gonzales' predecessor, John Ashcroft (news - web sites), who was in the audience as Gonzales took his oath from Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor (news - web sites). Bush lauded Ashcroft's tireless efforts to make America safer as he oversaw a drop in violent crime besides his counterterrorism work.
Gonzales, who served as White House counsel during the last four years, said he would be a part of Bush's team but his first allegiance will be to the Constitution.
"I am confident that in the days and years ahead we in the department will work together tirelessly to address terrorism and other threats to our nation and to confront injustice with integrity and devotion to our highest ideals," Gonzales said.
That said, I still don't like that as it was written. It's not a terrorism provision, but for everything.
From reading the "SEC. 215. ACCESS TO RECORDS AND OTHER ITEMS UNDER THE FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT." of the PATRIOT ACT you are refering to (FISA) it seems to me that a judge(s) needs to be involved in every case and there is Congressional oversight to the whole process.
Maybe I just fight like Ali. You can't touch my pretty face. ;o/
Definitely post them, I'm very interested.
There are standing Supreme Court decisions that say a Bill becomes law after being presented to Congress, passed by both houses, and signed by the President.
This "act" was never presented to Congress.
But I don't think even the justices would stand up to them.
Maybe you just fight like the French Army.
Maybe so, but even the French army doesn't need to worry about a Belgian offensive. Cheers
The Patriots who founded this country would, IMHO, not vote for this so called "Patriot Act".
You are kidding, right?
Ok, so lets just admit that you made a statement that in retrosprect was kinda off base. No problem.
I agree you agree it is off base. I think during a national crisis, you put all reasonable tools in action to catch the terrorists. If that means roving wire taps, secret panels of judges, and spying on Mosques, I'm all for it.
`SEC. 501. ACCESS TO CERTAIN BUSINESS RECORDS FOR FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE AND INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM INVESTIGATIONS.
`(a)(1) The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation or a designee of the Director (whose rank shall be no lower than Assistant Special Agent in Charge) may make an application for an order requiring the production of any tangible things (including books, records, papers, documents, and other items) for an investigation to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities, provided that such investigation of a United States person is not conducted solely upon the basis of activities protected by the first amendment to the Constitution.
This part of the PATRIOT ACT seems directed to towards terrorism.
That rules out the "Patriot act".
BTW, how many terrorists have they caught so far using it?
If that means roving wire taps, secret panels of judges, and spying on Mosques, I'm all for it.
You seem confused Mr Frog. They can spy on YOU, and get some secret judges to do the same kinds of things that the Soviets did with theirs.
You only think you're a conservative.
Gotta catch the enemy within, my friend. Should we announce to the suspect that he's under surveillance?
Yep, and in this case, the government is the enemy.
How many terrorists have been caught?
Should we announce to the suspect that he's under surveillance?
Did that change with the Patriot act?
My problems with the unPatriot Act, besides it's name.
This bill allows for delayed notification of search warrants against US and Non-US citizens (“Sneak and peek”).
It allows for expanded use of wiretaps. It centralized court districts. A judge in Washington DC, can now authorize investigations for suspected terrorism in Alaska.(my judge shopping reference)
This bill also allows for increased forfeiture of accused (not convicted) terrorists. Those that do not believe that their property should be forfeited are allowed to contest, using ‘affirmative defense’. That means they have to prove their innocence. I'm very familiar with "Affirmative Defense", since that was Ohio's old conceal carry law before it was changed.
"They can spy on YOU"
_____________________________
Yep, if they got a tip from someone that I was up to no good, AND a 3 judge panel agrees they have reason to spy on me, then they could indeed. I don't have a problem with that.
I am giving that tip right now. In secret, just like the judges.
AND a 3 judge panel agrees they have reason to spy on me,
How would you know if they agreed? They are secret. LOL
then they could indeed.
they can no matter if you say they can indeed or not.
I don't have a problem with that.
Add that to the long list.
No problem with any of the other provisions either? Like "Know your customer"?
How many terrorists have been caught by this law, Mr. Ostrich?
Nope, no problems. I mentioned three provisions I have no problem with. You had a problem with each apparently. What else do you have a problem with? Do we scrap the entire act? Should we fight terrorism with fewer tools that we've fought organized crime?
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