Posted on 12/16/2005 9:47:11 AM PST by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - The Senate on Friday rejected attempts to reauthorize several provisions of the USA Patriot Act as infringing too much on Americans' privacy, dealing a major defeat to President Bush and Republican leaders.
In a crucial vote Friday morning as Congress raced toward adjournment, the bill's Senate supporters were not able to garner the 60 votes necessary to overcome a threatened filibuster by Sens. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., and Larry Craig, R-Idaho, and their allies. The final vote was 52-47
Bush, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and GOP congressional leaders had lobbied fiercely to make most of the expiring Patriot Act provisions permanent, and add new safeguards and expiration dates to the two most controversial parts: roving wiretaps and secret warrants for books, records and other items from businesses, hospitals and organizations such as libraries.
Making most of the act's provisions permanent was a priority for both the Bush administration and Republican leaders on Capitol Hill before Congress adjourns for the year.
The House on Wednesday passed a House-Senate compromise bill to renew the Act that supporters say added significant safeguards to the law.
But the law's critics, such as Feingold and Craig, say they don't want the Patriot Act to expire — they just want enough time to improve the bill to the point where it doesn't infringe on American liberties. Bush, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, and House Speaker Dennis Hastert have said they won't accept a short-term extension of the law.
"In the war on terror, we cannot afford to be without these vital tools for a single moment," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said earlier today before the Senate vote.
Congress passed the Patriot Act overwhelmingly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The law expanded the government's surveillance and prosecutorial powers against suspected terrorists, their associates and financiers.
The bill's opponents say the original act was rushed into law, and Congress should take more time now to make sure the rights of innocent Americans are safeguarded before making most of the expiring provisions permanent.
They say the current Patriot Act gives government too much power to investigate people's private lives.
THE RATS BETTER HOPE AND PRAY WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER TERRORIST ATTACK. IF WE DO...THEY'LL BE BLAMED FOR IT. THEY'RE IN VERY DANGEROUS TERRITORY....
Dear Senator:
Your vote in support of the democrat fillibuster has been duly noted. I wish you were my Senator but take great solace in knowing that I can vote against both my Senators from Wisconsin.
Bob Barre is working with the ACLU doesn't that tell you all you need to know.
Since you believe Doug Thompson is a reliable source speaking truth to power about the crimes of the Bush Regime, I suggest you forward a copy of this "story" to the New York Times and ask them why they haven't picked it up yet.
Not sure how I feel about this one. Some of the PA stuff is needed, but the question is always this.
Do we really want a President Hillary with the Patriot Act?
Thank you. I also should have said that I am my own person before I am a Libertarian. I register with the party and consider myself a Libertarian because I do agree with about 99% of their platform. I cherish liberty as much as any American. But I will not have such a fetish about certain liberties that I would deny America protection from those who mean to kill us by non-traditional warfare.
Also, I'm not such an egomanica that I think the government has the time, energy, and resources to listen to me talk to my father about what he wants for Christmas.
You don't have to personally have your privacy invaded to know that you don't want, nor should government have, that power.
Does anyone know what they are voting on now? I just tuned in and it has to do with withdrawal from Iraq? I cannot find a thread on this.
Thanks
Larry Craig, the Senate's biggest advocate for 2nd Amendment rights is one of them. He pointed out some slippery slopes that could be used against gun owners in the Act. Like I said earlier, I'll take his word on this over gun-grabbing La Raza member Bert Gonzales any day.
FWIW, thank you for understanding the real issue. It's our safety. The only job that really matters when it comes to the government.
For the love of all that this nation of states used to stand for, please tell me you're joking. Give up liberty for security? You do realize that is in direct opposition to the original quote don't you?
I disagree. They will be the first ones on the attack - and they will point the finger squarely at Bush. He will be the one at fault (according to them) because of our "occupation" of Iraq.
I like to think you're right. But I happen to think that the Dems actually hope for another attack so they can blame Bush and profess that THEY would be able to protect us.
I would dread the abuse as well considering how much damamge has already been done with 900 FBI files.
An extension of most if not all the measures set to expire is not unreasonable in my opinion. I have heard 4 years mentioned previously, not sure where the timeframe would end as it stands now.
Many seem to forget that We are at war from both without and within what remains of our Republic.
The permanency of such measures would only speak to the inability of our own leaders on both sides of the aisle to deal effectively with those who would attack us openly here and abroad and work together to get the job done.
If that is not seen as necessary, then we may as well just close up shop and study Arabic and Chinese.
Your probably right...the GOP never plays like the dembos...they'll allow them to blame W without defending him in the least.
That's your standard? No one in the White House has denied that Osama bin Laden is hiding in the basement of the White House either. Does that make it true?
What liberties are we giving up!?!
Seriously - what has happened to you since 9/11 that you feel the government breathing down your neck every moment? What? You had to get patted down at the airport? Someone checked your bag before getting on the train?
I'm serious. Give me an example. What makes you think that the government has the time or resources to devote to investigating innocent people? Why would they leave Akbar Azzulah who resides in a rundown Brooklyn brownstone and concentrate on reading YOUR emails and listening in on YOUR phone calls.
They are welcome to pat me down, search my bag, and if necessary, listen to my phone calls. But they're going to be extremely disappointed and very board.
Just remember one thing - if Osama Bin Laden had a nuclear weapon on 9/11, he would have used it. And now, Iran - a sponsor for terrorist activity - will have a nuclear weapon within a few years. So, I sincerely hope, in order to validate your principles (fetish), that a nuclear bomb is never snuck into the country or detonated after a small plane that took off in Latin America.
"The Stargate SG-1 Information Archive is reporting that the Feds filed charges against Adam McGaughey, creator of SG1Archive.com. The website is a fan site for the television show Stargate SG-1. The charges allege that Adam used the website to engage in Criminal Copyright Infringement and Trafficking in Counterfeit Services. Two interesting things about the charges are that they were apparently set in motion by a complaint by our friends at the MPAA and the FBI invoked a provision of the USA Patriot Act to obtain financial records from his ISP. Is copyright infringment now a terrorist act?"
what did they do, shut down DU?
Oh yes, the "you too" response. Makes no sense in this case, but hey.
I would agree with your statement if it were say...the year 1776...but in the 21st Century...with the laws and the liberals and the ACLU and all of the other crap going on....you can't take that stance...our Constitution is being eroded day after day by the courts and lawmakers...in a country where I can get thrown in jail for shooting a person that is robbing my house...then I have no freedom....
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