Ashcroft, Seeking Broad Powers, Says Congress Must Act Quickly

I thought they already had all the powers Ashcroft is asking for under FISA?

One is allowing a person to be wire-tapped, as opposed to only a phone line. Terrorsts, like sophisticated criminals, use multiple phones and if they're using a cell phone they just toss them away and get another one. The federal agencies are restricted in their use of wire-taps, to single phone lines.

A second one is being able to hold a suspected terrorist for 7 days instead of 48 hours, until he must be charged with something or let go. Since gathering international information is so difficult that doesn't seem like shredding the Constitution to me.

All the Ashcroft bill does is bring federal law up the level of criminal law. All the "probable cause" restrictions still apply.

Another patriot concerned about his drug connections.

One is allowing a person to be wire-tapped, as opposed to only a phone line. Terrorsts, like sophisticated criminals, use multiple phones and if they're using a cell phone they just toss them away and get another one. The federal agencies are restricted in their use of wire-taps, to single phone lines.

Please reference the law that currently allows an organized crime suspect to have his "person" wire-tapped, but which does not apply to terrorists.

A second one is being able to hold a suspected terrorist for 7 days instead of 48 hours, until he must be charged with something or let go. Since gathering international information is so difficult that doesn't seem like shredding the Constitution to me.

Please reference the law that currently allows an organized crime suspect to be held for 7 days without being charged, that does not apply to terrorists.

All the Ashcroft bill does is bring federal law up the level of criminal law. All the "probable cause" restrictions still apply.

You specifically stated that this was an attempt to bring the laws used to fight terrorism up to the same level as laws which are used to fight organized crime. I just can't think of any laws that are specifically restricted to organized crime that wouldn't also apply to terrorists. After all, the Al-Quaida network IS an organized crime network.

Deb?

You seem to be evading something here. Are you planning to answer, or just run away and hope nobody notices?

Oh, Deb...

In case you might have forgotten, there's the little issue of your unsupported assertion here that you might want to address. Unless, of course, you are conceding that you simply made it up and are comfortable with lying.