This article discusses how "HR 3179 is the latest attempt to expand the scope of the USA PATRIOT Act." Remember that the Washington Times is a very conservative newspaper, so this is an interesting break from its normal editorial perspective. Of course, what the bill contains is not only very interesting, but also quite disturbing.
-rick Infowarrior.org From http://www.washingtontimes.com/commentary/20040726-090230-9970r.htm Some disturbing excerpts: "House leaders planned to rush the bill to the floor for approval without any real debate until a ruckus was raised by a coalition ranging from the American Civil Liberties Union to the Free Congress Foundation and the American Conservative Union. In an attempt to skirt such opposition, there was talk of adding H.R. 3179 to the House intelligence bill, but to no avail." <snip> "One of its most troubling provisions involves new powers for searches ordered by National Security Letters. These can be used to demand access to individual or business records even absent a showing of individual suspicion. There is no way either the target of the investigation or those on whom the letters are served can challenge them as too broad. The statute, in fact, makes it a crime for a recipient to raise alarms in the press, or even to the Justice Department's inspector general or the relevant congressional committees that should exercise oversight." <snip> "Conservatives should be concerned about all this. It is disturbing enough that key congressional leaders are maneuvering to enhance Executive Branch power without adequate debate on appropriate oversight and accountability. It was James Madison in Federalist 58 who said we did not fight for an "elective despotism" but one in which powers were divided between the different branches of government so "no one could transcend their legal limits without being effectively checked and restrained by the others. However, by Congress granting great power � without checks and balances � to the Executive Branch, it abdicates its own responsibility and encourages future abuses by federal law enforcement agencies. Conservatives well know a government bureaucracy's appetite for power is never sated. Left unchecked, it will push the limits, mindless of the cost to our own freedom." <snip> -- You are a subscribed member of the infowarrior list. Visit www.infowarrior.org for list information or to unsubscribe. This message may be redistributed freely in its entirety. Any and all copyrights appearing in list messages are maintained by their respective owners.
