Conyers: Patriot Act Update - Democratic Underground

MelissaB

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Thu Dec-08-05 11:03 PM
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Conyers: Patriot Act Update

http://www.johnconyers.com/vertical/Sites/{EF00C507-612C-4BA3-84C0-446C97F7E413}/uploads/{783D5269-5DF5-4A99-B14D-401ED14EF0A3}_WEB.jpg

Patriot Act Update

I am disappointed to say that instead of passing a bi-partisan and a reasonable effort at reform, the Patriot Act Conference Committee reported back language that does not contain even moderate changes that would have made the PATRIOT Act respect civil liberties and constitutionally sound.

Yesterday, the House Democratic Conferees made one formal request: that the government show some connection to a terrorist before delving into our citizens' most personal records and possessions. It was flatly ignored. Politics won out over civil liberties. The White House won out over the Senate, the House, Democrats and Republicans. I simply cannot support this bill.

The proponents of this measure will tell you that they have improved the bill by taking the Senate passed four year sunset of a few provisions instead of the seven year sunset in the House bill. The bottom line is, when it comes to a flawed law, sunsets just kick the can down the road. The bad law stays on the books for years, with no improvement.

It is my understanding that NO Democrat in the House or the Senate has signed this Conference Report. It is also my understanding that Senator Feingold (and perhaps others) intend to fillibuster it. The critical vote coming up will, therefore, be the vote to invoke cloture (in other words, cut off the fillibuster) in the Senate. Obviously, the more Senators who agree to oppose cloture, the more likely we are to reach the 40 needed to sustain Senator Feingold's fillibuster.

As to the substance, despite efforts to exaggerate reforms made in the bill, under this conference report, a person could still:

* Receive secret intelligence orders for any tangible thing, including library or medical records, if the government can show only "relevance" to terrorism. The target DOES NOT have to be suspected of any wrongdoing.

* Be permanently gagged even after he's turned over his most personal information;

* Have his home searched and not find out for a month, or even longer - all for the convenience of law enforcement;

* Expect his personal data to sit in databases indefinitely, including his financial and medical insurance records;

* Be sent to prison for telling someone he received a secret order to turn over information and not getting the Justice Department's permission first.

In terms of scheduling, I expect the report to be filed early next week and reach the House and the Senate as early as Wednesday. We have some time to stop it, but not much.

Blogged by JC on 12.08.05 @ 07:29 PM ET

Link: http://www.conyersblog.us/

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ShockediSay

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Thu Dec-08-05 11:11 PM
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1. Fillibuster away - We haven't even provided for

our first responders in the event of an attack, or other disaster, to communicate with one another on the same radio frequency until 2009. Where's our priorities?

http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/105822

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mermaid

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Thu Dec-08-05 11:17 PM
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2. "Our" Priorities

are not THEIR priorities. THEIR priorities are being able to make sure Big Brother can watch over you all the time, and make sure you don't pose a threat to THEM.

They don't care about US. Only THEM. And they know who the biggest threat to THEM is. Remember that a government only governs with the CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED. They intend to leach away our ability to resist, leaving them in full control of every aspect of our lives.

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AuntPatsy

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Sun Dec-11-05 12:20 AM
Response to Original message

3. This man does so much these days and remains so far under the

radar that it trully suprises me.

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