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HOMELAND INSECURITY Patriot Act II – is it a prudent step to stem terrorist activity in the U.S. and protect the homeland, or a Draconian measure designed to strip the last vestiges of freedom from the American landscape? Such is the question increasingly on the minds of Internet users, many of whom come down squarely on the side of legal experts who warn of the legislation's danger. Though an actual bill to further expand federal law-enforcement powers has not been introduced, activists for months have communicated online about what they see as potential Nazi-like developments. The first USA Patriot Act...

<p>While activists and politicians work to repeal or change parts of the Patriot Act that they say violate constitutional rights, Patriot Act II legislation -- which caused a stir when it came to light last year -- is rearing its head again in a new bill making its way through Congress.</p>

It appears that we are witnessing a stealth enactment of the enormously unpopular "Patriot II" legislation that was first leaked several months ago. Perhaps the national outcry when a draft of the Patriot II act was leaked has led its supporters to enact it one piece at a time in secret. Whatever the case, this is outrageous and unacceptable. -- Congressman Ron Paul, R-Tex. To those who follow the workings of the American bureaucracy, one thing should be very clear: We the people have lost control of our government. Let me give you a stark example. Rarely does the President...

WITH A WHISPER, NOT A BANG By David Martin 12/24/2003 Bush signs parts of Patriot Act II into law — stealthily On December 13, when U.S. forces captured Saddam Hussein, President George W. Bush not only celebrated with his national security team, but also pulled out his pen and signed into law a bill that grants the FBI sweeping new powers. A White House spokesperson explained the curious timing of the signing - on a Saturday - as "the President signs bills seven days a week." But the last time Bush signed a bill into law on a Saturday happened...

I've been searching for articles related to Patriot Act II which was quietly signed into law while everyone was watching Sadaham's headlice checkup. Are there any recently posted, ie since that memorable day ? I have done a search and the most recent was september-ish. Thanks.

On December 13, when U.S. forces captured Saddam Hussein, President George W. Bush not only celebrated with his national security team, but also pulled out his pen and signed into law a bill that grants the FBI sweeping new powers. A White House spokesperson explained the curious timing of the signing - on a Saturday - as "the President signs bills seven days a week." But the last time Bush signed a bill into law on a Saturday happened more than a year ago - on a spending bill that the President needed to sign, to prevent shuttng down the...

Gold-Dealers conscripted to spy on you? Alex Wallenwein Email: awallenwein@houston.rr.com December 9, 2003 Just forget about buying and owning gold and other precious metals in privacy, as you have been able to do until now. A new intelligence spending bill (HB 2417) has reportedly just passed Congress and is awaiting the President's signature by this coming Saturday, December 13, 2003. Tucked inside that bill is a provision that allows the FBI to serve so-called "national security letters" on a broader range of "financial institutions." National security letters require these institutions to reveal their customers' private financial as well as general...

<p>Tucked inside a intelligence spending bill awaiting the president's signature is a provision that allows the FBI to obtain an individual's financial records from pawn shops, casinos, car dealers and travel agents without a court order.</p> <p>The measure was included in the intelligence authorization bill and expands on who can be served with "national security letters" that demand financial information on investigations relating to terrorism or counterintelligence. The letters, or subpoenas, do not require judicial review or approval.</p>

<p>Tucked inside a intelligence spending bill awaiting the president's signature is a provision that allows the FBI to obtain an individual's financial records from pawn shops, casinos, car dealers and travel agents without a court order.</p> <p>The measure was included in the intelligence authorization bill and expands on who can be served with "national security letters" that demand financial information on investigations relating to terrorism or counterintelligence. The letters, or subpoenas, do not require judicial review or approval.</p>

Patriot Act, Part II The Bush administration has been on a campaign to shore up support for the Patriot Act and argue for an expanded version, which is being dubbed Patriot Act II. This public-relations offensive comes, however, at a time when a growing number of Americans are saying the original act already gives government too much power. Faced with these reasoned objections, the administration is becoming more shrill. Last week, Attorney General John Ashcroft named librarians as the latest group to pose a threat to freedom. Rather than lash out at well-intentioned critics, the administration should listen to the...

By JESSE J. HOLLAND Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON -- The White House won't say it, the Justice Department denies it and opponents salivate at every opportunity to use it. ''The USA Patriot Act'' is a phrase that Bush administration officials shun when questioned about the new anti-terrorism powers the president is asking lawmakers to give police and prosecutors. Among the measures President Bush is seeking are expanded use of the federal death penalty, tougher bail restrictions and FBI power to subpoena records and witnesses without having to go to a judge or grand jury. The new authority would be in...

<p>A key plank of President Bush's antiterrorism legislation that gives government agents subpoena power is facing scrutiny in the House.</p> <p>The bill would allow "administrative subpoenas" to question witnesses and collect files and electronic data without court oversight.</p> <p>Rep. Tom Feeney, Florida Republican and the bill's author, said there is "no question" his proposal will face "a lot of controversy."</p>

If you thought the federal government couldn't possibly create legislation more draconian and reprehensible than the PATRIOT Act, RAVE Act, CLEAN-UP Act, or Ecstasy Awareness Act, you thought wrong -- really, really wrong. Late last month ABC News shagged a copy of a proposed bill quietly making the Capitol rounds, and reportedly slated for introduction this fall, that would create the crime of "narcoterrorism" -- making it possible for the feds to redefine any and all drug crimes as acts of terrorism. "This bill would treat drug possession as a 'terrorist offense' and drug dealers as 'narcoterrorist kingpins,'" a Democratic...

WASHINGTON -- For months, President Bush's advisers have assured a skittish public that law-abiding Americans have no reason to fear the long reach of the antiterrorism law known as the USA Patriot Act because its most intrusive measures would require a judge's sign-off. But in a plan announced last week to expand counterterrorism powers, Bush adopted a very different tack. In a three-point presidential plan that some critics are already dubbing Patriot Act II, Bush is seeking broad new authority to allow federal agents -- without the approval of a judge or a federal prosecutor -- to demand private records...

On Aug. 6, reporter James Gordon Meek of the New York Daily News scooped a story revealing that Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, plans to introduce legislation in September to further expand federal police powers. The Hatch bill, entitled the VICTORY Act (Vital Interdiction of Criminal Terrorist Organizations Act), is seen by some to be a substitute for the earlier proposed so-called Patriot Act II -- the Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003 -- which was leaked and caused a furor in Congress as well as among liberal and conservative civil liberties groups. A draft copy of the Victory Act, dated...

Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003 The second Patriot Act is much worse than the first...and they didn't want you to know about It until after they had sprung an attack. Click here to read the full document that John Ashcroft publicly stated didn't exist Go here for complete text in PDF format. http://www.prisonplanet.com/victory_act.pdf

Posted on Tue, Aug. 26, 2003 Victory Act no triumph for freedom lovers The replacement for Patriot Act II would increase federal powers CHARLES LEVENDOSKY Casper Star-Tribune Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, reportedly plans to introduce legislation in September to further expand federal police powers. The Hatch bill, entitled the Victory Act (Vital Interdiction of Criminal Terrorist Organizations Act), is seen by some to be a substitute for the so-called Patriot Act II -- the Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003 -- which was leaked and caused a furor in Congress as well as among liberal and conservative civil liberties groups....

<p>Congress may consider a bill that not only expands the government's wiretapping and investigative powers but also would link low-level drug dealing to terrorism and ban a traditional form of Middle Eastern banking.</p> <p>The draft legislation -- titled the Vital Interdiction of Criminal Terrorist Organizations Act of 2003, or Victory Act -- includes significant portions of the so-called Patriot Act II, which faced broad opposition from conservatives and liberals alike and embarrassed the Justice Department when it was leaked to the press in February.</p>

The Justice Department . . . seems to be running amok. . . . This agency right now is the biggest threat to personal liberty in the country. —Republican conservative Dick Armey, former House majority leader, New Republic, October 21, 2002 This nation . . . has no right to expect that it always will have wise and humane rulers, sincerely attached to the principles of the Constitution. . . . [If] the calamities of war again befall us, the dangers to human liberty are frightful to contemplate. —United States Supreme Court, Ex Parte Milligan, 1866, declaring Abraham Lincoln's suspension...