Worthy News: House passes warrantless domestic spying measure - Washin

[George]

The House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday that would provide congressional authorization for President George W. Bush's warrantless domestic spying program but subject it to new rules.

http://www.worthynews.com/news/washingtonp...802052_pf-html/

[buckthesystem]

This should really get everybody waking up and taking notice and asking themselves whether or not they really trust their government to (for a start):

"The president would be permitted to do so (order warrantless surveillance), for example, after an "armed attack," "terrorist attack" or when the president deems there is an "imminent threat."

Afterall, what is the definition of an "imminent threat"? What is a "terrorist attack"? What is an "armed attack"? Is it entirely up to a government bureaucrat to decide the definitions? Could (say) a gathering together of people for a gun show be deemed an "imminent threat" (of course how would the bureaucrat know whether or not the people were planning to attack a government building with their arms? Now remember that Bush will not always be the president. Some of you, how about trusting Clinton or Al Gore with this "power to deem"?

Now note (and this is vitally important): "Hidden in the fine print are provisions which grant the administration authority to maintain permanent records on innocent U.S. citizens, granting the administration new authority to demand personal records without court review, and terminating any and all legal challenges to unlawful wiretapping."

And: In addition, the president would be permitted to authorize for up to 90 days warrantless electronic surveillance when the president determines there is an "imminent threat of attack." The president could submit unlimited subsequent certifications to extend the warrantless action.

Another important thing: "Critics charge it would expand presidential powers and further threaten the rights of law-abiding Americans.

It sure sounds to me like it does.

[LadyRaven]

"Unless the people, through unified action, arise and take charge of their government, they will find that their government has taken charge of them. Independence and liberty will be gone, and the general public will find itself in a condition of servitude to an aggregation of organized and selfish interest." Calvin Coolidge

Mr Coolidge seems to have been on to something.

[Marnie]

You people really need to read the Bill, not quotes from the Bill or opinions on certains aspects of the Bill. Wreckless reporting from most of the media on this.