[Marianne]

FYI

[Bella]

Everyone happy?

[WackyKat]

To get the records, the FBI doesn't have to appear before a judge, nor demonstrate "probable cause" - reason to believe that the targeted client is involved in criminal or terrorist activity. Moreover, the National Security Letters are attached with a gag order, preventing any financial institution from informing its clients that their records have been surrendered to the FBI. If a financial institution breaches the gag order, it faces criminal penalties. And finally, the FBI will no longer be required to report to Congress how often they have used the National Security Letters.

Bye-Bye 4th Amendment

[HiTech RedNeck]

Merry fishbowl, everybody. 1984 was only 20 years late in coming.

[FreeReign]

Anybody have a link to the actual legislation?

[MissAmericanPie]

So far under the Bush administration we have lost the first, fouth, and tenth amendments. This voice vote is how the Senate will pass the FTA treaty that does away with the Constitution all together in favor of international law.

[Az Joe]

http://washingtontimes.com/national/20031204-111437-5659r.htm

"National Security Letters..."

"The measure redefines "financial institutions" that was previously limited to banks, credit unions, and savings and loan organizations.

Now the definition also includes brokers and dealers registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, investment bankers, operators of credit-card systems, insurance companies, dealers in precious metals, stones, or jewels, licensed senders of money, telegraph companies, airplane and boat dealers, Realtors and estate closings, and the U.S. Post Office.

Financial institution also means "any other business designated by the secretary [of the Treasury] whose cash transactions have a high degree of usefulness in criminal, tax, or regulatory matters.

Administration officials support the bill because it allows law enforcement to pursue investigations with greater speed and flexibility.

Senate committee staffers said the investigative tool is not new and was used in the past for money-laundering investigations.

Those same tools should be available to investigate terrorism, they said, and were requested by the administration."

[LPM1888]

If this is true Bush just lost my vote. This is sleazy behavior.

[Mr. Mojo]

(Patriot Act II signed by President on December 13, 2003)

He should've waited a couple more days and signed the damned thing on Bill of Rights Day, just for effect.

[Ahban]

Conservatives, rally to the Constitution Party now. http://www.constitutionparty.com

Don't just consider voting for them, seek them out and join up.

Do not be dissuaded about any threats of what may happen if you don't back the GOP regardless of how quickly they dismantle the Constitution.

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism

H.R.2417

Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Enrolled as Agreed to or Passed by Both House and Senate)

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

There are 6 versions of Bill Number H.R.2417 for the 108th Congress

1 . Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Introduced in House)[H.R.2417.IH]
2 . Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Reported in House)[H.R.2417.RH]
3 . Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Engrossed as Agreed to or Passed by House)[H.R.2417.EH]
4 . Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Placed on Calendar in Senate)[H.R.2417.PCS]
5 . Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Engrossed Amendment as Agreed to by Senate)[H.R.2417.EAS]
6 . Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Enrolled as Agreed to or Passed by Both House and Senate)[H.R.2417.ENR]

[Recovering_Democrat]

I like it, I love, and I want more of it. Let's whack those terror cells right here.

[PGalt]

Geat! Go President Bush!

[Beck_isright]

Bookmark for later rant.

[EveningStar]

If this article is accurate, we are indeed in trouble. Would someone mind going through the article point by point and show the actual text of the act as it relates to each point? Thank you.

[sandydipper]

Et tu Brutus? Drop your pants and bend over.

[Agitate]

This should not be classified as news, it is definately more Editorial.

[Beck_isright]

This is indeed a dark year. Remember everyone, the conservatives and Pubbies will not have control of the Federal infrastructure forever. Currently the liberals control the courts. If a Hitlery or someone of her ilk take control of the country, what would happen to FR or freedom minded individuals? I shudder to think what will happen.

[farmfriend]

I'm not going to read the whole thread. Just wanted to make sure you saw it. Forgive me if you have already been here.