Last chance for patriot act re-authorization input!

A.C.L.U "Action" alert:

http://action.aclu.org/site/PageServer?pagename=AP_action_homepage

C.D.T "Action" alert

http://www.cdt.org/action/patriot/

Mods please lock (information-only). Pete

 

The House is stalling on hearing this in an effort to drum up more support for their (the more repressive) version.

This gives more time to those of you who haven't taken a position and contacted your legislator's yet to do so. (PLEASE DO!)

Urge him or her to vote FOR the "motion to instruct" on H.R. 3199. It would instruct the House conferees to accept a Senate provision putting new sunsets on several controversial PATRIOT Act provisions. This will ensure that the Congress will watch carefully over the use of these
powers, and will force the Justice Department to comply with
Congressional oversight requests.

Can't find that contact link? Here it is again:

http://www.theorator.com/government/house.html (this is for House members only this time around).

Make your voice heard. Pete

 

Documents Show FBI Misused Surveillance

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,173172,00.html

Monday, October 24, 2005

"WASHINGTON — Previously classified documents being released Monday show numerous misuses of FBI surveillance, including improper searches and seizures of e-mails and bank records, The Washington Post reported in Monday's editions.

The documents, which were turned over under a Freedom of Information Act (search) lawsuit filed by the Electronic Privacy Information Center, show that FBI auditors have investigated hundreds of potential violations related to the agency's domestic surveillance since Sept. 11, 2001, the Post said.

Some of the violations found in the documents included:

—FBI agents failing to file annual updates on ongoing surveillance, as required by Justice Department guidelines.

—A violation of bank privacy statutes.

—An improper physical search.

—Improper collection of e-mails after warrants had expired.

David Sobel (search), EPIC's general counsel, told the Post: "We're seeing what might be the tip of the iceberg at the FBI and across the intelligence community. It indicates that the existing mechanisms do not appear adequate to prevent abuses or to ensure the public that abuses that are identified are treated seriously and remedied."

But FBI officials told the Post that most of the violations were simply administrative errors.

"The FBI and the people who work in the FBI are very cognizant of the fact that people are watching us to make sure we're doing the right thing," an anonymous FBI official told the Post."

Wrote that legislator yet on your opposition to the 'patriot' act? Pete

 

Off topic post removed given it's controversial political nature.

Since this thread has taken a turn to the politcal side....it will now be closed.