Senators are split three ways on how to procede with the forthcoming extension of the most controversial portions of the Patriot Act, with questions over adding some nominal oversight to the process and length of the extension causing serious rifts.
Senate Judiciary Chair Patrick Leahy (D – VT) has the most modest extension of the three, seeking to extend the provisions through 2013 and promising some oversight over how the US surveils its citizenry.
This bill was quickly slammed by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R – IA) who introduced an alternative bill that would extend the provisions for all of eternity and would prohibit any additional oversight of the spying activity. Sen. McConnell (R – KY) backed Grassley’s version, insisting that the “threat of oversight” would burden the never-ending war on terror. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D – CA) sought a compromise bill, which would use Leahy’s 2013 date but Grassley’s total lack of oversight.
The fighting is all quite interesting (and ominous) but will likely be meaningless as the House version of the bill is seeking to avoid the sort of major political battle of the others and will simply extend the provisions, oversight-free of course, for 10 more months.
The Masters know best.
Gee, I wonder when they are going to ask me if I want a "Patriot Act" or not. [smirk]
It is interesting to note that the government views all its citizens as potential terrorists. The abuses in the system are legion, yet in the Congress…that great intelectual wasteland that confers its legislative prowess for the benefit of corporate America as well as themselves, continue to seek Draconian measures to insure conformity.
The most direct way to bring a halt in terrorist attack in this country is to stop behaving as terrorists ourselves. We invade,occupy and bomb at our pleasure without justification, and oft-times as initiating "War of Aggression" in violation of international law and convention.
We now realize that neither Iraq or Afghanistan had any role in 9/11. We should therefore behave accordingly.
The greatest terrorist threat is a total lack of governmental accountability. Repeal the unconstitutional absurdly named "Patriot Act" now. "Those who would sacrifice freedom for security deserve neither." Benjamin Franklin
Rand Paul opposes the bill alltogether. Why doesnt this article mentin him?
Why why why do US citizens elect people completely unrepresentative of the population, who surely are NOT all criminals and terrorists, as the "Reps" seem to believe.
Lets see they are arguing on how long they will allow the Senate to enact a law that is a Breach of large Chunks of the United States Constitution.
tHAT FACT WILL NOT EVEN BE DISCUSSED.