Why I Hate The USA Patriot Act

[Diamond Cross]

I often get criticised by conservatives, such as being called unpatriotic, over my criticism of the USA Patriot Act. They ask things like "Well, wouldn't you like to be safe?" Well, of course I would but NOT at the cost of my civil rights and liberties.

Anyhow, here are some of the problems I have with it:

No Accountability – The PATRIOT Act weakened key oversight
and accountability checks on the powers of the Executive Branch,
reducing judges to mere “rubber stamps” and leaving many decisions
about investigative techniques to the discretion of FBI agents.

Sneak and Peek Searches - The USA Patriot Act broadened the government's power to search an individual's home without telling him or her until weeks or months later.

Access to Sensitive Business records - The USA PATRIOT Act
gave the FBI nearly unlimited power to obtain business records,
including sensitive files like medical, library and bookstore records,
with a secret court order issued with no factual showing of need.

Broad Definition of Terrorism – The PATRIOT Act contains a
definition of “domestic terrorism” so broad that someone committing a
misdemeanor could end up being dubbed a terrorist, thereby facing
asset forfeiture and other serious consequences.

Monitoring Computer “Trespassers” Without a Court
Order – The USA PATRIOT ACT allows ISPs, universities and network
administrators to authorize government surveillance of anyone they
deem a “computer trespasser” withouta court order and with no notice to the person being monitored.

Secret Investigations – The FBI’s domestic intelligence
investigations under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), a
statute that was expanded by the USA PATRIOT ACT, occur in total secrecy, with almost no information released to the public.

Monitoring of Email and Web Surfing – The USA PATRIOT ACT
extended to the Internet the already broad authority to monitor
transactional (non-content) information about communications with
very little justification. A record of every call you make and every
email you receive offers a full picture of your life, even without the
contents.

Expansive “Roving” Wiretap Authority – The USA PATRIOT
and of course, I've beenACT permitted the FBI to use “roving” wiretaps in intelligence investigations, but it did not include safe guards long used in criminal investigations to avoid recording the conversations of innocent people.

End-Run Around Standard Criminal Procedures – The
PATRIOT Act authorized the FBI to use special intelligence
investigative techniques under FISA, which has lower standards than
regular criminal law, even where the primary purpose of the
investigation is to obtain information for a criminal trial. This
essentially permits the FBI to collect evidence for criminal cases under
lower standards.

Personally I just can't understand how anybody can support this kind of crap and this kind of power. This kind of thing only fosters mistrust of our government.



Link:

Analysis of USA PATRIOT Act by CDT and Others

[DosEquis]

I sent an email to my republican congressman regarding my disapproval of this thing.... he wrote back that supports it and feels it gives us the tools necessary to fight terrorism. It sounded like a premade letter because he could have addressed some specific points, but instead chose to use teh 'talking points' that you see on Fox News.

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by DosEquis

but instead chose to use teh 'talking points' that you see on Fox News.

Those same 'talking points' that the democrats in congress also voted for?

[DosEquis]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

Those same 'talking points' that the democrats in congress also voted for?

Yes those exact same ones. Unfortunately I do not have a democrat congressman to write to, or I would send them a comparable letter.

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by DosEquis

Yes those exact same ones. Unfortunately I do not have a democrat congressman to write to, or I would send them a comparable letter.

So really, Fox News is completely irrelevant, and shouldn't really be brought up.

[DosEquis]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

So really, Fox News is completely irrelevant, and shouldn't really be brought up.

The republicans and fox news are responsible for all the talking points....

Its the publics fault and the democrats fault for actually buying their lines of bullshit. Fox news and republicans are very relevent as to why the patriot act and "bush doctrine" have had any approval.

[Diesel66]

Originally Posted by DosEquis

The republicans and fox news are responsible for all the talking points....

Its the publics fault and the democrats fault for actually buying their lines of bullshit. Fox news and republicans are very relevent as to why the patriot act and "bush doctrine" have had any approval.

Then why did Clinton push the same basic laws ? It is just an extension of the RICO act and the anti-terrorism act of 1996.

[archangel003]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

So really, Fox News is completely irrelevant, and shouldn't really be brought up.

In for never talking about Fox News again.