[dirtboy]

If a Gore administration had attempted to expand government powers in this way, even in a post-9/11 world, a lot more FReepers would be screaming.

Yeppurs, although not that many support such legislation - and, IMO, this one is DOA, although if there is a section or two with merit, those should be considered - not every provision of PATRIOT I was a bad idea, such as the provision to wiretap all phones used by a suspect, in this day and age of cellular phones.

[ellery]

Totally agree -- there are some Patriot Act provisions that make sense. Unfortunately, the administration risks losing the good provisions (e.g., roving wiretaps, better cooperation amongst agencies) by fighting too hard for the flagrantly bad ones (e.g., indefinite warrant notification delays).

This one looks even worse, particularly the plan of shifting the burden of proof for illegal wiretaps to the defendant and self-issued FBI subpeonas. And DOJ and committee stonewalling doesn't help their cause. Their overreaching is going to lose them even the necessary and sensible tools to fight terror.