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USA PATRIOT Act Survives Amendment Attempt
crem_d_genes writes "A bill to modify the USA PATRIOT Act that would have blocked part of the legislation's provisions that allow for the investigation of people's reading habits was defeated by a 210-210 vote in the U.S House of Representives. The House leaders kept the roll call open for 23 minutes past the 15 minute deadline to persuade 10 Representatives to change votes. According to the article 'Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., said he switched his initial "yes" vote to "no" after being shown Justice Department documents asserting that terrorists have communicated over the Internet via public library computers.' On the other hand, 'Critics of the Patriot Act argued that even without it, investigators can get book store and other records simply by obtaining subpoenas or search warrants.'"
Democracy, in it's current implementation (And the US is meant to be a democratic republic, before anyone who get's their political knowledge from civilization tries to nitpick), is a placebo that gives the impression that people actually have some say in the matter. In reality, this isn't the case. We simply get to choose our dictators.
Anyone who actually believes ideas like "anyone can become president" has to ask themselves why the last 2 dozen presidents have all been multi-millionaires with strong party affiliations. Congress is made up of cronies of the president and the guy who came second, and the supreme court is appointed by the guy who makes the laws.
The only true democracy is a country with no political freedom. The only way for the people to get the leaders they want is to kill the ones they don't in a bloody revolution.
oh please, i hate that liberal argument...we don't behave like the bullies of the world...but someone has to step in and regulate every now and then...the world wants it both ways...they criticize us for doing stuff like taking sadam hussein out of power...but then when someone gets out of control, who is the first country they turn to for help? that's right...
"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true." - Homer Simpson
So you're saying Joe McCarthy will rise from the dead and use the PATRIOT Act to see whether MLKj checked out 1984 on Hoover's card?! WTFOMGDOUBLEPLUSCONCLUSIONJUMPINGBBQ!
Yes, I know what you're trying to imply with those links - but it takes more than "Here's some links, wink wink nudge nudge, eh?!".
Try less hysterics, more reason.
Hokey statistics and ancient misconceptions are no match for a good thought in your head, kid!
Repost
"It's really sad that Canada, whose government bans many books, is now more of a free society than the US. Maybe I'll join my friend."
That's your perception, anyways. Don't confuse opinion with fact.
-Erwos
Plausible conjecture should not be misrepresented as proof positive.
Ben Franklin was a fucktard. he's the original soup nazi:
"You value your safety and loved ones above my principles!? No liberty or security for you!"
Money is not enough. You have to have knowledge and intelligence. These do not mix well with religious fundamentalism.
Wishful thinking. Al Qaeda has shown a lot of ingenuity and creativity in their activities. Would that it were otherwise.
They are quite adept at public relations, too. They've even been able to swing an election in a Western European nation, and have won over most of that continent to agreeing with their major policy positions.
Peace be with you,
-jimbo
XML Tools for Mac OS X
Then fucking move to China, where they already such "protections" and, of course, no one ever dies.
When moderating, assume I have not yet had my coffee.
I want to tell you about an interesting yet disturbing story. This happened a few weeks ago. I was at my local library and due to lack of finding something else more interesting and a semi-curosity about Islam, I spied a book on the history of Islam and took it to the check-out. I am of Indian origin, hence "brown skin" hence Muslim to the eyes of most. But I actually am a Hindu. On getting cold looks from the guy at the check out, my wife felt so disturbed by it that she asked me to return the book asap and also that I should not take chances in the future, especially with the Patriot Act.
I was offended but felt sad that this country, which is an oasis of freedom is itself turning into a police state where civil liberties and personal freedom are no longer guaranteed. Citizens should be worried that Ashcroft is watching us every second. I never thought it would happen here.
If Bush gets re-elected, I think its only going to get worse.