GOP SHOULD LEAD FIGHT AGAINST THE PATRIOT ACT

Human Events ^ | 6/6/2013 | David Harsanyi

[neverdem]

And to think they told us the War on Terror was over.

With news that the National Security Agency is currently collecting the telephone records of millions of us through one of America’s largest telecoms providers, Republicans have a chance to dramatically recast themselves in the debate over state surveillance and privacy.

An order requires Verizon on an “ongoing, daily basis” to hand over information on all telephone calls in its systems to the NSA — both domestically and between the United States and other nations. A White House official has already defended the actions: “On its face, the order reprinted in the article does not allow the government to listen in on anyone’s telephone calls. The information acquired does not include the content of any communications or the name of any subscriber. It relates exclusively to metadata, such as a telephone number or the length of a call.”

Though Americans are usually evenly split over the Patriot Act, I suspect that the brazenness and widespread nature of this particular brand of snooping probably won’t go over well. It’s important to remember that during the Bush years the NSA had, as this USA Today story characterizes it, a “massive database of Americans’ phone calls,” so this isn’t exactly new territory. The GOP will undoubtedly be branded a bunch of hypocrites (and in some instances it will be well deserved). What is new in Washington, however, is a gaggle of libertarian-minded GOP politicians that weren’t part of the 99-1 affirmative vote on the Patriot Act and they weren’t here for a decade defending the expansion of FISA courts.

Imagine this scenario: Three Republicans senators – obviously, the mostly likely candidates being Ted Cruz, Mike Lee and Rand Paul – craft a bill that would repeal, or far more likely roll back certain provisions of the Patriot Act. A number of Democrats – Ron Wyden and Mark Udall, who have both warned that the administration was, with the blessing of a FISA court, engaged in these sorts of activities – would almost surely join in. Rand has already demonstrated the political potential of a passionate stand against abuse.

The administration, on the other hand, would likely have to oppose repeal or even rollbacks, turning the entire debate on its head – a pro-drone, pro-surveillance administration that also oversaw a similarly abusive IRS.

No doubt John McCain & Friends would also stridently oppose. Butt that fissure is already with the party. Though Democrats are in no position to lead a charge against their own leader, most would find themselves in a tough position, while at the same time Republicans could demonstrate a (sorely needed) consistent skepticism about government power.

And best case scenario, the Patriot Act reformers actually win.

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Follow David Harsanyi on Twitter @davidharsanyi.

[Black Agnes]

Now. We only need to find GOP that aren’t on the take or being blackmailed with this info.

[cripplecreek]

I wrote to my RINO congressman demanding that he oppose the patriot act back then.

[sickoflibs]

RD :”Though Americans are usually evenly split over the Patriot Act, I suspect that the brazenness and widespread nature of this particular brand of snooping probably won’t go over well. It’s important to remember that during the Bush years the NSA had, as this USA Today story characterizes it, a “massive database of Americans’ phone calls,” so this isn’t exactly new territory. The GOP will undoubtedly be branded a bunch of hypocrites (and in some instances it will be well deserved). What is new in Washington, however, is a gaggle of libertarian-minded GOP politicians that weren’t part of the 99-1 affirmative vote on the Patriot Act and they weren’t here for a decade defending the expansion of FISA courts.“

Check out the comments on this past thread, they go like :'Bush is keeping you safe and needs to do whatever he thinks it takes to do that, if you aint a terrorist you is safe, what are you a terrorist sympathizer or somthin???':

ABC News claimed yesterday that phone calls made by its reporters and journalists at the New York Times and Washington Post are being traced by the federal government as part of an investigation into leaks of classified information.
ABC Claims Government Traced Its Reporters’ Calls
New York Sun ^ | May 16,2006 | JOSH GERSTEIN
Posted here at FR

[Alberta's Child]

Is this headline some kind of joke?

Why would the GOP lead the fight against a Patriot Act that was passed by a GOP House and a GOP Senate, and signed into law by a GOP president?

[tennmountainman]

Would be nice. But most of us are still waiting for the gutless GOP
to do something about...

Benghazi
The IRS
Targeting Conservatives

I would not hold my breath.

[MasterGunner01]

“These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” — Thomas Paine

Now is the time to draw the line in the sand, but will Americans do it?

[napscoordinator]

It’s a trap. This is so dumb. How can you fight something that Republicans were 100 percent for. I don’t think the Republicans should touch this at all. The Democrats are pissed at Obama. Let’s see how that pans out.

[EQAndyBuzz]

Republicans shouldn’t be fighting this. Republicans should be telling the media that the government used this to go after enemies of the state, and include in that the tea party and conservative donors.

Let the Democrats explain it.

[Darren McCarty]

I didn’t like the Patriot Act when Bush wanted it. Part of it was memories of Janet Reno.

[Perdogg]

Was Ted Cruz or Rand Paul or Mike Lee in the Senate when it was passed and re-authorized ? hint NO.

[Nifster]

I like it. If Nixon could go to China and O can spy on everyone with impunity, then I think Republicans OUGHT to be the ones to stand up and say ENOUGH!!!!

[Nifster]

because it has been used and abused and led to violating constitutional rights of US citizens

[Carry_Okie]

Why would the GOP lead the fight against a Patriot Act that was passed by a GOP House and a GOP Senate, and signed into law by a GOP president?

There is such a thing as acknowledging a mistake.

[Timber Rattler]

Now why would the GOP do something like that when it did THIS:

Flashback to May 2011:

GOP struggles for PATRIOT Act votes

"House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) offered a stern warning to his fellow lawmakers in a closed conference meeting Wednesday at the Capitol Hill Club: Don’t you dare vote no unless you attend Mueller’s briefing and ask your questions."

Bachmann defends vote for Patriot Act after fielding complaints about government over-reach

"Tea Party favorite Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) on Thursday night spent five minutes on the House floor in an attempt to justify her vote for the Patriot Act, after admitting to receiving significant feedback from her supporters urging her to reject it."

[Alberta's Child]

OK — so you have 3 votes to overturn it. Great.

[Alberta's Child]

Good -- then let all of the @ssholes who voted for it the first time around resign from office immediately.

Mistake corrected.

[TADSLOS]

The slippery slope turned into a cliff.

[Carry_Okie]

0Good -- then let all of the @ssholes who voted for it the first time around resign from office immediately.

Thanks for the chucklehead chuckle.

[Vince Ferrer]

I am all for revisiting the Patriot act and if not repealing, steadily watering down its provisions. We have won/lost the war, and now have switched sides. The only thing right now we are using some of these vast new powers for is to keep up the war against the Americans.