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Justice Department Proud of Patriot Act Slippery Slope

Posted by michael on from the first-they-came-for-the-people-different-from-me dept.

frank_adrian314159 writes "Yahoo News is reporting that the DoJ has been using its increased powers under the US PATRIOT Act to pursue common criminals. DoJ Officials have been holding seminars on how to use increased wiretap powers against (non-terrorist) money launderers and drug dealers. One example in the article is the guy running a meth lab who's now up for a life sentence for 'manufacturing chemical weapons' instead of the much shorter sentence he would have been facing under the current drug laws. Wonderful, huh? Who didn't see this coming? Of course, you're a law-abiding citizen, so you have nothing to worry about, right?" Patriot Act II will allow any Federal agent to demand records from anyone who interacts with you, with no judicial oversight whatsoever.

13 of 1,108 comments (clear)

  1. I, for one, welcome our... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...Federal Government Overlords....

    Oh wait, we've had them since 1776. DOH!!

    1. Re:I, for one, welcome our... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Exactly! I mean, look at the latest fabrication of the Republicans. They're claiming that a hurricane of all things is going to strike the east coast of America. Ask them exactly when or where, and they'll give you some malarky about how unpredictable the weather is. Looks like those new laws haven't done much if they can't predict where the "hurricane" will hit.

      Even better, they're warning people to both cover their windows with plywood AND to evacuate their homes. The notion that you can make a house air tight with plywood is ridiculous enough, but it does little good if the people aren't even there!

      Face it, the Republicans have trumped up this "hurricane Isobel" nonsense to spread fear and panic to the masses. Luckily, you all have us Democrats to tell you about this farce. Take it from us, the best thing you could do, even if a hurricane were to magically hit, is to stay _home_. In the event of an actual hurricane, the roads will be needed for rescue crews and linemen to repair the electrical and telecommunications infrastructure. That's what the roads are there for, after all. Even if your neighbor is in trouble, don't go to help! Call 911 and let the authorities handle the situation, because after all, who's going to be better trained for these situations, you or an impartial team of workers hired and trained to be able to prioritize these things properly?

    2. Re: I, for one, welcome our... by Bendebecker · · Score: 3, Funny

      "Reader, suppose you were an idiot; and suppose you were a memer of Congress; but I repeat myself."

      ------------Mark Twain

      --
      There's a growing sense that even if The Future comes,
      most of us won't be able to afford it.
      -- Lemmy
    3. Re:I, for one, welcome our... by MulluskO · · Score: 4, Funny
      A massive tax cut for the rich (while killing off all sorts of social programs at the same time).
      Bush said, "By far the vast majority of my tax cuts go to those at the bottom end of the spectrum," so you're obviously wrong.
      --

      Too busy staying alive... ~ R.A.
    4. Re:I, for one, welcome our... by Afty0r · · Score: 3, Funny
      Bush said, "By far the vast majority of my tax cuts go to those at the bottom end of the spectrum," so you're obviously wrong.

      The majority of his tax cuts went to those at the lower end of the ethical spectrum.
  2. Ob. Brockman. by $hecky · · Score: 3, Funny

    I, for one, welcome our new Republican over--

    Wait a second. No I don't.

    --
    You never know who will get one.
  3. Re:Great by Unregistered · · Score: 4, Funny

    What's so bad abut Vadar?

  4. This is good by CausticWindow · · Score: 4, Funny

    Finally the US government has unveiled some dangerous chemical WMD.

    Too bad it's produced in the US, by a US citizen and for recreational purposes.

    Go USA.

    --
    How small a thought it takes to fill a whole life
  5. Re:Great by Adam9 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Compared to Bush... not much

  6. Rhetoric.. by MrPerfekt · · Score: 3, Funny

    This is the point where people spew out "If you don't like it, leave!" in a standing tall, patriotic stance.

    I do believe this is the final straw for myself. I will be permanently leaving the country as soon as financially possible.

    It would incredibly interesting if the emmigration rate soared in the next few years from the US. I guess we'll wait and see.

    --
    I just wasted your mod points! HA!
  7. Ever see Ashcroft on TV talking about this by kaltkalt · · Score: 3, Funny

    I saw him on FoxNews with Tony Snow last week (safe haven for him, no tough questions). He was saying how little the patriot act does and how "we still need judges to sign all these warrants, it's not like we do anything on a whim." His basic spiel was "oh come on, it's nothing! Really, we would never use it in a bad way, trust us! We love jesus! Praise!"

    We can only hope 4 year terms run in the bush family. And I voted for dubya.

    --

    Stupid people make stupid things profitable.
  8. Re:Print the article... by Guppy06 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Wouldn't it be easier to just remember not to vote for anybody with a "D" or an "R" next to their name?

  9. Name change... by MrBlue+VT · · Score: 4, Funny

    I propose a name change. How about instead of Justice Department, we call it the Ministry of Love?