'Victory Act' expands federal power to seize records, tap phones

Washingon Post ^ | 08-23-03

[Brian S]

As Attorney General John Ashcroft begins a barnstorming tour of the country to bolster support for existing antiterrorism laws, Senate Republicans are discussing legislation that would expand the Justice Department's powers to investigate terrorists and drug criminals.

Recent drafts of the "Victory Act," which carry the names of Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and four other Senate Republicans, would provide extra penalties for drug dealers allegedly connected to terrorist groups and would dramatically expand the government's power to seize records and conduct wiretaps in connection with "narcoterrorism" investigations.

The proposal also targets alleged "interstate currency couriers" by making it a crime to carry more than $10,000 in a vehicle in connection with illegal activity. Prosecutors also would be able to freeze the assets of defendants arrested on money-laundering charges for 30 days, regardless of whether the assets are connected to a crime, according to the draft legislation.

[steve50]

Send some of the Wall St./banker boys to jail John, if you have the nerve. So far your reign as chief inquisitor has been a joke.

[jmc813]

WOD Ping

[Ben Ficklin]

The organized oppostion to the Patriot/Victory Act is yet another example of the left and the right uniting against the middle.

[Dan from Michigan]

This draft is beyond unacceptable. Asscroft needs to go.

[Dan from Michigan]

PING

[steve50]

We must be willing to give the federal government whatever authority it needs to protect our ability to instill these freedoms elsewhere.

I have no wish to give my Constitutional protections up to exert influence abroad. Change the Constitution of live within it's limits.

[steve50]

This draft is beyond unacceptable. Asscroft needs to go.

That should be clear to anyone who values the Constitution. I think Asscroft will be another 2 term AG, he suits the neocons well. The only means of removal will be voting ABB.

[drhogan]

i would rather give the feds more power to get the terrorists than have to deal with more terrorist attacks. yes, the feds will sometimes make mistakes and go after the wrong people, and yes, some feds will abuse their power. but overall, the feds are not out to get us but the terrorists are.
i was a red back in the 60's, and the fbi kept track of me and interviewed me, but even with all their power then they never really did anything bad to me. they were actually very reasonable.

[Eala]

I think he forgot the /sarcasm tag.

[savedbygrace]

The proposal also targets alleged "interstate currency couriers" by making it a crime to carry more than $10,000 in a vehicle in connection with illegal activity. Prosecutors also would be able to freeze the assets of defendants arrested on money-laundering charges for 30 days, regardless of whether the assets are connected to a crime, according to the draft legislation.

Scary stuff.

[savedbygrace]

Huh? You don't see the contradiction?

[steve50]

I think he forgot the /sarcasm tag.

I though that might be the case, but around here you can't take much for granted anymore.

[JakeWyld]

"Victory Act"?
What's with these names? They certainly aren't inspiring in my eyes.

[Area51]

We have to remember what we're fighting for here - freedom, democracy, and an end to totalitarianism. We must be willing to give the federal government whatever authority it needs to protect our ability to instill these freedoms elsewhere.

5 posted on 08/23/2003 8:37 AM PDT by GoOrdnance

---------------------------
How about instead of advocating the destruction of our civil liberties, you just report for relocation yourself. Obviously when the fight starts you wouldn't be of any help anyhow!

[FierceDraka]

"Victory Act", soon to be followed by Victory Gin, Victory Coffee, and Victory Cigarettes.

/Orwell's 1984

[ccmay]

We can argue the constitutionality and propriety and efficacy of such laws all we want. Some are good and some are bad. Reasonable people can disagree.

But I wish the politicians would cool it with the Orwellian titles.

It is not unpatriotic to oppose the Patriot Act. It is not defeatist to oppose the Victory Act. But the government would like people to think so.

Let's call things by proper, descriptive names, and then debate the details.

-ccm