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House Panel Approves Electronic Surveillance Bill
narramissic writes "A U.S. House of Representatives Committee has approved the Electronic Modernization Surveillance Act, a controversial bill that would broaden the U.S. government's ability to conduct electronic surveillance on U.S. residents by making it easier for federal law enforcement officials to get court-issued warrants. The full House is expected to vote on the bill by the end of the month." From the article: "Republicans praised the bill, saying it will help the U.S. government fight terrorism. The bill will provide the U.S. intelligence agencies 'greater agility and flexibility as they try to thwart our determined and dangerous terrorist enemies,' Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner, a Wisconsin Republican, said in a statement. The full House is expected to vote on the bill by the end of the month. The committee's action comes after U.S. President George Bush called on Congress to approve a controversial electronic surveillance program conducted by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA). "
If the Republicans lose control after the mid-term elections will this piece of legislation ever make it to the statute books? Isn't this just another example of the Republicans in an election year trying to look strong on their chosen election issue of terrorism/national security?
Video Game cheats, hints a
First off, I totally disagree with these kinds of laws. But if they're going to have them, they should have a clause that the gathered evidence can only be used to convict for treason/terrorism. That would lessen the likelihood of abuse (well, we happened to hear about a drug deal going down, so...) Of course, with the bad precendent set, the scope will expand anyway :(
Not that the other guy would have done all that much differently, but at least he'd have to fight with his enemies in the Congress to get anything done.
I think the best part of Clinton's presidency was that for most of it we had a Democrat for president with a Republican dominated Congress that hated him. The Lewinsky stuff kept all of them busy from doing real damage. I've always felt gridlock makes for good government, and I look forward to having it again in November.
William of Ockham had no beard. The most likely explanation is that it was chewed off by squirrels every morning.
I was visited last night by the local sheriff.
It seams that you have to register with the government if you own a diesel truck and buy more that 50 pounds of fertilizer and fill your fuel tank on the same day.
Crap, I can't even even spread it in my pasture without somone in D.C. knowing what color the sh*t is.
Ohh well time to go buy another 1,000 rounds of 7.62x39 on the credit card again
I love messing with them.
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Smile and look stupid and the government will love you...
-- I am the NRA, enough said...
What is the status of non-american regarding privacy rights in the current american law ?
If the CIA is reading my gmail account, is it kosher ?
The Wise adapts himself to the world. The Fool adapts the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the Fool.
Osama bin Laden must be ROFL wherever he is that he was able to destroy the ideals of the United State of America that took centuries to build so easily.
He knew exactly what he was doing.
Read this quote from an interview right after 9/11:
"I tell you, freedom and human rights in America are doomed. The U.S. government will lead the American people in -- and the West in general -- into an unbearable hell and a choking life."
--Osama bin Laden, October 21, 2001
When information is power, privacy is freedom.