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House Approves Extending the Warrantless Wiretapping Act

wiedzmin writes "The U.S. House of Representatives voted 301-118 today, in favor of extending the FISA Amendments Act until December 31st, 2017, effectively reauthorizing the broad electronic eavesdropping powers that largely legalized the George W. Bush administration's warrantless wiretapping program."

8 of 326 comments (clear)

  1. Can this be retroactively legalized by Colonel+Korn · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "that largely legalized the George W. Bush administration's warrantless wiretapping program"

    Sorry for the tangent, but I have a question. Does the constitutional prohibition of ex post facto laws prevent the legalization of illegal activity as a means to annul the culpability of preexisting perpetrators? In other words, should the people involved in warrantless wiretapping before our hideously evil overlords legalized this rape of our rights be culpable for their crimes?

    Also, someone do us the favor of linking to a list of the despicable scum in the House who voted in favor of further rape today.

    --
    "I zero-index my hamsters" - Willtor (147206)
  2. Re:4 years later... by dreamchaser · · Score: 5, Insightful

    and still managing to blame Bush. Wow.

    Yep, seeing as how Obama will happily sign it as well. It would be more appropriate to blame 'despicable politicians'.

    The only difference between Bush and Obama is the latter has signed off on exponentially more debt. Neither gives or gave a shit about our rights.

  3. Re:It Has Kept Us Safe by icebike · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Personally, I'm glad for this extension. There are still evildoers, particularly Islamic terrorists that are bent on harming America. Just wittness the latest attack in Libya.

    Wait, how would warrantless wiretaps have prevented THAT? You planning to tap phones in Libya?
    And don't we have warrantless wiretaps today and yet we still have THAT?

    And if there is a risk that can be averted with a wiretap, why not get a warrant?

    --
    Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.
  4. Re:It Has Kept Us Safe by Yakasha · · Score: 5, Insightful

    My freedom is worth nothing if I am dead.

    Your life is worth nothing if you are not free.

    If you are not free, you are merely a commodity. A resource to be used in the furtherance of your controller's desires.

  5. Re:Always happens with "Sunset" laws by Githaron · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program." --Milton Friedman

  6. Re:4 years later... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    what would be the point of doing that?

    To show that he's against it? To do... something? Trying to stop it is far better than just allowing it to pass with no resistance.

  7. Re:Obama = Bush III by squiggleslash · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Understand where you're coming from, but let's not forget that a major part of the support of Mr Hope & Change was from people who understood his position to be against warrantless wiretapping, and this bill wouldn't be on any agenda if Obama had actually been the person with that position.

    We're best off voting for a third party at this election for President (Congress is more of a local matter and can't be generalized like that.) No matter who wins, we will get this crap anyway. At the very least, though, votes for a third party for President are votes that analysts will recognize as votes that could have been for a major party, had either one shown any principle whatsoever.

    --
    You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
  8. Re:4 years later... by fustakrakich · · Score: 5, Insightful

    74 democrats voted yes... The only difference between the 'sides' is that one is dramatically more unified than the other. Regardless the content of their thought, that's a sign of strength!

    --
    “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”