from
http://news.yahoo.com/...
Congress sent President Bush a second five-week extension of the Patriot Act as Senate negotiators worked to close a deal with the White House on renewing the antiterrorism law with some new civil liberties protections.
Kind of low profile today..... I sure didn't hear anything about it.... but better to have more come out on FISA and no warrants..... time seems to be on our side.... the more time passes, the more things come out. But why was the vote 95-1? It's time to start talking about this monstrosity.
more below
Again, from AP:
Sixteen provisions of the 2001 law were to have expired last Dec. 31, but Congress extended them until Friday after Democrats and a handful of Senate Republicans demanded an avenue of appeals when the FBI makes demands for people's financial and other private records.
The Senate voted 95-1 Thursday night to extend the current law unchanged through March 10 and give negotiators more time to reach a deal. Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis., a longtime opponent of the Patriot Act, cast the sole vote against the extension. The House passed it Wednesday.
Several Republican and Democratic officials involved in negotiations said that agreements had been reached on several issues but that others needed more time.
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Senate Democrats and four libertarian-leaning Republicans had blocked a final vote on a measure negotiated by the White House that would have made permanent most expiring provisions. The Republicans were concerned about excessive police powers.
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It is time for Democrats AND Republicans to put an end to this sham. Why on earth are Democrats finding ANY grounds for "agreement" in this abomination. Using the President's logic, it's not even necessary. President Bush already claims all these powers as a "Wartime Chief Executive" so why does he even need the Patriot Act?
Let's be blunt: The "Patriot" Act is the first step in revoking the Bill of Rights.
If anyone needs a reason to vote against this act, James Madison clearly makes the case for voting NO.
The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.
It is a universal truth that the loss of liberty at home is to be charged to the provisions against danger, real or pretended, from abroad.
The Patriot Act is too far along the path to tyranny.
And to clearly note Madison's interpretation of "Executive Power":
The executive has no right, in any case, to decide the question, whether there is or is not cause for declaring war.
Can President Bush or ANY Supreme Court Justice claim that they can better interpret the law and Constitution than James Madison?
The thought is laughable.
As noted above, I can understand that more time for debate is a good idea. It is in the Democrat's interest to have a FULL and DETAILED debate on this issue.
BUT why approve an extension 95-1? Show a little more opposition.
Given all the clear abuses by this President, WHY on earth are Democrats being SO "agreeable?"
This vote makes it look like the Patriot Act is still a good idea....
Well..... IT's NOT.
This Act has done NOTHING to make us safer. It has LIMITED the rights of US citizzens in ways our Founding Fathers would have violently objected to. It is time to say NO.
If this is SO necessary, then this Administration should explain - in detail - what has been accomplished with it and WHY it is so necessary. They seem to be VERY reluctant to do so. This has nothing to do with "telling terrorists what we're doing" - it has EVERYTHING to do with further restrictions of American rights. The Patriot Act needs to be reviewed LINE by LINE. I doube ANY of its provisions can stand close scrutiny.
So.... extend this abomination for 5 more weeks - but more of a protest vote would've been nice...... and make sure it does NOT get renewed.
In the mean time, let's make a point of all the abuses that are continuing under this Administration.
Let's get back to all those "Shelved" and delayed issues.....
About those reasons for going to war in Iraq? Where's that Senate COmmittee Report?
Where are the additional torture/abuse photos/videos?
Why is Sibel Edmond such a threat to National Security?
How about hearings on Able Danger?
And just what WILL we be finding out about warrantless "wiretaps" e.g. MASSIVE surveillance of digital communications and data mining?
There are plenty more issues NOT directly related to "National Security" that clearly show that this Administration CANNOT BE TRUSTED. Add your own reasons below.
Oh..... and YEAH Russ. At least SOMEONE has principles.