Congress to Revisit the Patriot Act

BlakeCaldwell writes "CNet is reporting that both the House and Senate are planning to review the 16 portions of the Patriot Act that are set to expire at the end of the year, several dealing with computer and Internet surveillance. They're trying to avoid the criticism they received after rushing this bill through in 2001 by holding hearings to review the bill's worth. FTA: 'One hearing disclosed police invoked the Patriot Act 108 times in a 22-month period when surreptitiously entering and searching a home or office without notifying the owner.'"

Comments

Re:From someone in the ground in Iraq

[EnronHaliburton2004]

I didn't include my buddies name because I haven't been able to ask him if he'd be alright with it.

And you shouldn't post his name either. Some of the people in power might not like his statement, and he could face severe consequences if it became known. The freedom of speech doesn't always apply to military personel.

yea... Im calling BULL on this....

[doctorjay]

What a load of crap.... If somone wrote that in the military that would NEVER get passed their censors and that person would be diciplined.

Re:List of Expiring Provisions:

[halber_mensch]

Thank you for posting this. Most people don't get past a knee jerk reaction and bother to look at what is really in Patriot beyond the FUD.

The Patriot Act itself was a knee-jerk reaction, and not too much unlike the Enabling Act passed after the burning of the Reichstag in 1933. I'm still not too certain that the Patriot Act did not have the same fitness to purpose as the Enabling Act.

Cynic? Realist!

[Log from Blammo]

Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything. --Josef Stalin

Who counts the votes in the USA? Diebold. ES&S. Sequoia. These three companies count 80% of the votes cast nationally.

Given that two of those three publicly favor the Republican Party, and the third is owned by a British parent company, and that there is practically zero accountability in regard to fairness and accuracy of their products, is there any wonder that people are getting just a little bit cynical?