Patriot Act To Be Made Permanent? (Trial balloon to gauge the public reaction?)

sierratimes ^ | 4/8/2003 | J.J. Johnson

[TLBSHOW]

Patriot Act To Be Made Permanent? By Report by J.J. Johnson

WASHINGTON, April 8 - According to the New York Times , Congressional Republicans are working to make permanent the sweeping antiterrorism powers given to federal law enforcement agents after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The Times reports that the move is likely to touch off strong objections from many Democrats and even some Republicans in Congress who believe that the Patriot Act, as the legislation that grew out of the attacks is known, has already given the government too much power to spy on Americans. If you recall, it was only passed with the agreement there would be a sunshine clause inserted, where Congress would have to review the act in 2005.

The legislation expanded the government's power to use eavesdropping, surveillance, access to financial and computer records and other tools to track terrorist suspects, clearly testing the limits of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments to the Constitution. It has been on the books since October of 2001.

The times said the move to repeal the ‘sunset’ clause was crafted by one Senator Orrin G. Hatch, Republican of Utah. Republicans may seek to move on the proposal this week by trying to attaching it to another antiterrorism bill that would make it easier for the government to use secret surveillance warrants against "lone wolf" terrorism suspects.

Bear in mind that while the New York Times laid on this on Hatch, the Utah Senator made no comment on the record. Nor has any other republican. Democrats, needless to say, aren’t too happy about it. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), predicted that Republicans lacked the votes to repeal the limits.

The Times also wrote that Justice Department officials credited the Patriot Act with allowing the F.B.I. to move with greater speed and flexibility to disrupt terrorist operations before they occur, and they say they wanted to see the 2005 time limit on the legislation lifted.

"The Patriot Act has been an extremely useful tool, a demonstrated success, and we don't want that to expire on us," a senior department official said on condition of anonymity.

Another senior official who also demanded anonymity said the department had held discussions with Congressional Republicans about how that might best be accomplished. "Our involvement has really been just keeping an open ear to the issue as it's proceeding, not to really guide the debate," the official said.

Again, notice how no one wanted to go on the record about this. Debate is expected, but months away. The Sierra Times suggests, consider this New York Times story an official ‘trial balloon’ to gauge the public reaction. Chances of the sunshine clause being lifted is slim at best - unless another major terrorist attack happens before then

[Dan from Michigan]

The times said the move to repeal the ‘sunset’ clause was crafted by one Senator Orrin G. Hatch, Republican of Utah

Of course. He was pushing for a similar law when Klinton was president too. He and Reno led the way. Then it was for the war on drugs.

[michaelje]

Your asking me too many questions, I cant keep pace. Its unlikely that Hillary would ever be elected president. Its marginally significant that any politician would use the Patriot Act to shut down Freerepublic. This site mainly backs our government anyway, I rarely see dissention and if I do, its usually a libertarian.

[TLBSHOW]

It was seen coming (YES) which is why we are going to stop it now not wait till it is too late! This is a disgrace to Real Americans whose forefathers died for this country not to have the country turned into a Police State because we were attacked by outside enemies...Like its Americans fault and Americans are all suspect. Its simple who the enemy is and its the Islam cult and Muslims not Americans and that is who needs laws against them not us.

Imagine the rats with this Power and you should all be in fear!

I have lots of phone calls and emails to send right now and I suggest everyone do the same. If we want to stop this un-American act from being made law forever.

[eBelasco]

Wouldn't someone who supported the Crown at that time have been a conservative?

[VRWC_minion]

All laws are temporary including tax cuts.

[jmc813]

Let's just clear one thing up. Do you think for the rest of your lifetime (for argument's sake, let's say 50 years), you are confident that there will be no liberals in positions of significant enough power to misuse this Act? Yes or no?

[michaelje]

Confiscation begun over a decade ago. Not to be a wise guy but: where have you been? & where are you now?

[Dan from Michigan]

GROW UP PEOPLE, IF YOU HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR.

I think there is drugs in your house. I'm a cop. If you have nothing to hide, you will let me search your house.

6 Words. None of your damn business. Capice?

[TLBSHOW]

Do what you will while I will trust no govt democrat or republican from here on out.

This whole thing is disgusting and Un American.......

[jmc813]

This site mainly backs our government anyway

Were you here during the Clinton years?

I rarely see dissention

Look at this thread, for crying out loud. I seriously doubt that 98% of the posters here are libertarians.

[michaelje]

"Police State"??

TLBSHOW, Ive posted with and againts you for years now, but a "Police State", give me a break.

[michaelje]

Relax Dan, no one is going to search your house unless your suspect. Are you suspect?

[Freedom2specul8]

I have to say that I feel completely cheated and wronged. If this passes, and a democrat is in the whitehouse next time, I can't IMAGINE what could happen. Imagine with clinton/gore having that power! YIKES!

[Dan from Michigan]

I support the second amendment, but if legislation passes, at either the federal, state or local level that prohibits guns- you shouldn't own them. Period

Bwhahahahahahah. If the law said it was illegal to be Christian(or Jewish, Agnostic, whatever), would you support that?

If govt banned guns, I would still have them. Why? Cause any law that prohibits means of defending myself and my family is not worthy of being followed by me.

[Stew Padasso]

And have you been cheerleading the confiscation?

[Dane]

Dane, I hate to break it to you, but you don't really know Ashcroft, Bush or Cheney. Nor do you know any of the columnists who write for the Times. You have your beliefs about their "hearts" and intentions. And you are catholic in your beliefs. Take that into consideration

Actually I believe that I can know the true beliefs of Bush, Cheney, and Ashcroft, by gauging their previous sayings and actions and I can know the true beliefs of the New York Times from their previous writings and actions.

Sorry but I will believe Bush, Cheney, and Ashcroft over the New York Times 24/7.

It seems that you will believe anybody who is singing your, IMO, paranoid tune, and in this case today it is the New York Times.

[michaelje]

And imagine--- What if it was George W. Bush who gave the power to them?? Spooky, eh?

[jmc813]

So the constitution shouldn't change? Should slaves still get 3/5 of a vote?

We amended the Constitution to change that. We didn't suddenly interperet it differently.

Yes they do. Just ask the people of Iraq. A big cloud man in the sky doesn't rain rights down on our head. The reason you can't be tortured for 8 months is not the grace of God...it's the law.

That's just proof that God-given rights can be infringed by governments. See CFR and gun restrictions here for examples closer to home.

[thepitts]

What won't the GOP do to lose the next election?

[michaelje]

No. But more importantly have you been fighting it (the confiscation)?