NY Times article:Bush Seeks to Expand Access To Private Data

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

This was in Sunday's NY Times, in the National Section:

We know that Shrub has said that we shouldn't fear the Patriot Act because anything done has to have a judge's approval. Apparently that's not the case anymore:

"...But in a plan announced this week to expand counterterrorism powers, President Bush adopted a very different tack. In a three-point presidential plan that critics are already dubbing Patriot Act II, Mr. Bush is seeking broad new authority to allow federal agents — without the approval of a judge or even a federal prosecutor — to demand private records and compel testimony."

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/14/national/14PATR.html?th

[tom_paine]

1. The other shoes are dropping

Living under Lame-Duck Fuehrer* should be interesting.

The fists are clamping down on the throat of the American Experiment.

[Ratty]

2. Unbelievable

With quotes right out of 1984 or something. These words and phrases make me cringe and I hope every other American who values freedom:

• "President Bush's advisers have assured a skittish public that law-abiding Americans have no reason to fear ..."
  
  
• "Mr. Bush is seeking broad new authority to allow federal agents without the approval of a judge or even a federal prosecutor to demand private records and compel testimony."
  
  
• "We don't want to tie the hands of prosecutors behind their backs,"
  
  
• "'It's just common sense that we should be able to use this tool against terrorists' ... Officials could not cite specific examples in which difficulties in obtaining a subpoena had slowed a terrorism investigation"
  
  
• "in crimes like terrorist financing, and he wants to make it tougher for defendants in such cases to be freed on bail before trial."
  

I find the last one especially interesting. If I donate to Hillary Clinton's campaign will I be financing a terrorist? You'd think so to read just about any thread on FR.

New Terror Laws Used Vs. Common Criminals

[jbfam4]

3. I am writing to my Senators

People are more afraid of this administration than any terrorists.

Line from article: "Officials could not cite specific examples in which difficulties in obtaining a subpoena had slowed a terrorism investigation."

This power hungry administration is totally out of control.

Every statement they make I will respond with : "PROVE IT!"