Posted on 02/16/2008 7:49:09 AM PST by no nau
Presidential hopeful Ron Paul opposes the extension of the Protect America Act of 2007 as the legislation violates the US Constitution.
"The misnamed Protect America Act allows the US government to monitor telephone calls and other electronic communications of American citizens without a warrant, which violates the Fourth Amendment," Paul said.
Speaking before the US House of Representatives on Wednesday, he said the Protect America Act sidelines the FISA Court system and places authority over foreign surveillance in the director of national intelligence and the attorney general with little if any oversight.
The 10-term congressman added that it does not provide for the Fourth Amendment protection of American citizens if they happen to be on the other end of an electronic communication where the subject of surveillance is a non-citizen overseas.
"We must remember that the original Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act was passed in 1978 as a result of the US Senate investigations into the federal government's illegal spying on American citizens," said Paul.
The libertarian-leaning Texan noted that the only legitimate 'upgrade' to the original FISA legislation would be to allow surveillance of conversations that begin and end outside the United States between non-US citizens where the telephone call is routed through the United States.
"Congress should not use this opportunity to chip away at even more of our constitutional protections and civil liberties. I urge my colleagues to oppose this and any legislation that violates the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution," Paul concluded.
Constitutionalist Ron Paul is an outspoken critic of current US fiscal and monetary policies. He advocates a full troop withdrawal from Iraq and the abolishment of income taxes.
Because conservatives need to bitch about the Left and keep "fighting" for conservatism, rather than seeing conservatism actually implemented and leftists respecting the Constitution, as a Dr. Paul administration would have done.
That is why Rush, Malkin, Hannity, the conservative websites, blogs, and pundits all trashed Paul or barely mentioned him. They need their meal ticket of constantly "railing" against the Left istead of watching victory unfold.
A conspiracy is not to be assumed when it is not necessary to explain events. It could be, you must admit, that Dr. Congressman Ron Paul, BSC SSC* might just be getting static because he's perceived as just simply wrong.
*Bronze Swimming Certificate, Silver Swimming Certificate.
I'd rather "cut and run" than stay and fight for 100 years like McCain proposed. If the job couldn't be finished in the seven years we've been there, then there's no use in staying. There's always going to be terrorists pal, regardless how long we stay there.
And in a general election when the majority of people want the troops to come home, Paul would have been a perfect candidate because he would have neutralized Hillary/Obama on the war. You don't think the Dems are going to play McCain's "100 years" clip continuously and paint him as a war-mongerer? He'll never get the independents to vote for him, and then you'll be stuck with Hillary/Obama who'll really F up things in Iraq.
Oh, he’s a racist with ties to WAR, et. al., too.
Yeah whatever. All of that has been debunked.
No, the issue is that people enjoy statist, socialistic government and wasn't ready for significant change. Just the "change" that the Dems and the other Republicans were touting, more nibbling at the edges and tax rebate bread crumbs.
Did you see the thread where Iran's president is fixing to visit Iraq? I reckon he wants to go and see what new toys he's soon to be getting on our dollar. Paul understands there is no dealing with those people. Staying out of there makes more sense than building them up military wise. We will never change their culture. Bush is wrong to think we can. Bush gives them the farm and says now you guys be good to each other ya hear? Don't make us spend more money on ya'll.
Ron Paul is right and you are wrong. This authorizes snooping on American citizens. I’m old enough to remember when conservatives actually disrusted big government during the Bill Clinton era. Now.....they want to give his wife (or Obama) the power to violate our liberties. They trust big brother now. I wonder if they will also trust big sister when the time comes.
Don’t worry. Hillary will love the Protect America Act. Conservatives will whine about how she uses it but then it will be too late.
I fear what our Jacksonian tradition, our distinctly American culture will have to endure and respond to in the coming years. I'm less likely to focus on things that you see as main issues. This is primarily that I trust that we will continually discuss and modify these political solutions, hopefully towards a more acceptable, Constitutionally-sound result.
I think though, that the likelihood of getting to that point requires that our society not be burdened with a sudden 10 to 15 million person die-off. That tends to skew our normal political systems a bit.
I hope you understand why I may not agree with you yet hope I can still be considered to be faithful to the Constitution.
Bumped for truth.
Are you freaking kidding me?!?
Don't count on it.
In the aftermath of the Waco raid, before I'd come to my senses, I was an everyday listener to Rush. Not once did he have anything bad to say about the BATF, the FBI or Janet Reno.
I recall particularly his defending Janet Reno against John Conyer's verbal attacks during the first Senate hearings, not long after the Davidians were burned out. Wasn't it out of character, I thought, for Rush to be taking the Clinton Administration's side against an NRA-supported Democrat?
It took me until around July, 1993, to begin having doubts about the official story. Rush Limbaugh never has.
By that standard, if they ever find out Kevin Bacon is a terrorist, we're all screwed.
Paul is already in the loony bin its called AMERICA..
A republic trying to morph into a democracy(Mob Rule)..
He advocates some heroic surgery to restore the republic..
Socialism is caused by democracy.. and democracy is really Mob Rule by mobsters..
You know by an elite a duly elected Oligarchy.. like in China and U.S.S.R.
Socialism is SLAVERY BY GOVERNMENT..
Ron Paul HATES THAT... grasshopper...
It’s already here. Only it’s a Contract ON America... But because we’ve been sold a bill of goods on the “threat” of terrorism, and because it’s a Pubbie doing the selling, why all the good “conservatives” have swallowed down the Kool Aid and are right in step with their current marching orders.
I'd rather have Paul who'll bring the troops home but at least he'll follow the brass advice and bring them home safely and ensure that Iraq is stabilized. He'll also leave behind a small contingent to go after bin Laden as well, than Hillary/Obama who'll talk about bringing the troops home but they continue the war in a haphazard fashion and appease the mullahs and dictators there. Paul would have completely beaten Hillary/Obama like a rented mule, the liberal media knew this and that's why he was blacked out and they also knew the right would attack Paul over the war as well. I just think America really pissed away a huge opportunity to return this nation back to limited government and the Constitution by not voting for Paul.
The stakes in the Cold War were the loss of every major urban center in America. And yet we did not suspend the Constitution and trash the Bill of Rights.
By any means necessary.
People like you are the reason the GOP deserves to lose the House, Senate and Presidency. Pity the Dems don´t deserve to win.
The MSM hates Constitutional Conservatives as does a majority of the GOP elected and RNC it seems. For that many career RINO’s may find themselves replaced by DEMs this election in both houses when people stay home or vote third party. I'll likely vote third myself again. Last GOP POTUS canidate I voted for was Dole and that cured me once and for all. If that is what it takes to rid the GOP of the RINO infestation and the Socialist death grip on the party then so be it. Maybe 4-8 years of DEM majority rule will open some eyes and ears. Then again maybe the nation as we know it is too far gone. People want Rush and Hannity etc to do their thinking for them.
Excellent points, well made. Pity the RNC shills won’t see it that way here.
Exactly right.
I believe that most people on the left haven’t much sense. Nonetheless, I must defend their rights because in so doing, I defend my rights. I think it’s legitimate and even admirable to be a dissenter, whether or not agree with the dissent itself. Constitutional rights exist to protect such people from the will of the majority.
On this issue, I would no doubt find some agreement from the so-called civil libertarians on DU. I’m not concerned by this. It welcome their agreement on this issue. It is precisely the people on the fringe of our political culture (right or left) who are threatened by the statists in both parties- I think of them as the “statist center”.
Now, if I could just get the DUmmies to agree with me on the 5th, 9th, and 10th amendments...
I say God bless Ron Paul. He is the only one I trust to protect our rights and liberties that the rest of you bootlicking cheerleaders are handing over willingly.
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