Posted on 11/29/2001 4:29:34 AM PST by 74dodgedart
Edited on 06/29/2004 7:08:29 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
WASHINGTON -- The Department of Justice already is using its new anti-terrorism powers to monitor cable modem users without obtaining a judge's permission first.
A top Bush administration official lauded the controversial USA Patriot Act at a Senate hearing on Wednesday, saying that the new abilities have let police obtain information in investigations that was previously unavailable.
(Excerpt) Read more at wired.com ...
Keep in mind, that's any government entity.
The Federal Government asked the Bell system companies
for simultaneous access to 10,000 lines in every community
during the 1990's. The Bell system couldn't provide that, since
many communities being served by a "central office" aren't
that large, aside from the cost being prohibitive. They did
allow a figure close to that.
And in every "central office" [those small phone company
buildings in every community], there are devices on the
mainframes to allow a field technician to access [for testing
purposes] any subscribers line, using any other phone line.
Since it is a remote access device, anyone knowing the access
number can dial in from anyplace in the world and access
any line in that central office. Part of the testing procedure,
is the ability to monitor the line. Although there is "speech
garbling" technology for some protection from abuse, it
can be turned off or on as needed remotely as well.
Anyone that supports the increase of government monitoring
in the name of "security", is either very misinformed, or very,
very naive.
Orwell's 1984 is here folks. We allowed it, one safe day at a time.
I have nothing to hide (a point many safety concious individuals like to make), however, it scares me to think that government agency will monitor my posts, my email, what web pages I visit, etc. Based on what? My posts are part of a healthy debate and some of them are of a dissenting voice.
IMHO, Leahy should be focusing his attention on the Patriot Act instead of Military Commissions, but how can he? A.) His primary goals (among others) are A.) destroy Ashcroft's credibility and B.) His committee helped push the Patriot Act thru Congress.
Not that I lit up in the headlights, or anything like that....
But Mr. Vietnam POW and Mr. Buchanan also came out
very strongly for more security measures. Along with
Mr. Economic Dullard and Mr. Greenjeans.
I favored the removal of all democrats by electing Republicans,
then to remove any Republicans that are not following Constitutional
doctrine.
It's for your own good.
Big Brother is here to stay.
It's definately "here"....
If it's "here to stay" is a matter that hasn't been determined yet.
Time will tell. I give it 5-7 years, max, before it's resolved one way or the other.
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