FBI Director Robert Mueller attempted to defend his agency's misuse of the Patriot Act's provision for National Security Letters. Mueller said the law wasn't the cause of the errors, but how the FBI implemented the use of the National Security Letters was.
I don't get it.
How can Mueller disconnect the law that allows for using National Security Letters from their misuse?
Doesn't the misuse in itself mean the law was poorly crafted?
Is Mueller really saying the FBI doesn't need any guidance in this matter?
....because, if Mueller is really advocating this position, then i have to say, he doesn't have much cred with me.
I have been really swamped with work lately, but took lunch to catch up with the headlines and saw thison MSNBC.
Yeesh! I just hope the kool-aid drinkers don't swallow this pitch.
Mueller said his mistake was:
"What I did not do and should have done is put in a compliance program to be sure those procedures were followed,"
I don't think I can trust any compliance program Mueller comes up with. It's likely to have as many holes as the current Patriot Act. None the less this is the plan he has begun, starting with an audit to find out just how bad, bad is. The audit is to find:
the full extent of the problem and to determine if any agents should be disciplined.
Translation: The audit is to find what can't be covered up and throw the most expendable agents under the bus.
Then Mueller plays lip service to the concept that he is committed to both Congress and the American People (nice to feel included here), that he will "correct the deficiencies".
Maybe it's just me, but I'm not sure the FBI is going to be able to find their head with both hands on this one. Apparently Senators Leahy and Specter are a little skeptical also - thank god, someone on that committee is.
Get this, Mueller's reason for the mistakes is that the application for a National Security Letter is very long and "wants thousands of facts".
At least Specter had something to say to that,
"I’m not impressed with your assertion that there are thousands of facts," Specter said. "That’s your job. You asked for these powers; we gave you them. If these applications are wrong, you’re subjecting people to an invasion of privacy that ought not to be issued."
Predictably Orrin Hatch or Utah and Alabama's Jeff Sessions took Mueller at his word. According to Hatch,
You’ve acknowledged the problems and pledged to fix them. That’s what Congress and the American people need
I need MORE than that!
I think these abuses need to be reined in and the gaping holes in the Patriot Act need to be filled.
I want to feel safe.
Right now, I don't feel terrorized by any terrorist, I'm scared of law enforcement from my own country!
Ok, I'm done venting now. What do you think?
I apologize that you can't vote more than once on the poll.
Well Part II is April 17th when Gonzo goes to Congress.