Okay then, are the broad surveillence powers granted the executive by the Patriot Act justified?

Answer 1

If you can find these powers given to the government by the Constitution, then they are.

So, no.

Answer 2

No, and the Republicans would not even give Clinton any use of it in 1996!

7-30-1996, WASHINGTON -- President Clinton urged Congress Tuesday to act swiftly in developing anti-terrorism legislation before its August recess.

"We need to keep this country together right now. We need to focus on this terrorism issue," Clinton said during a White House news conference.

But while the president pushed for quick legislation, Republican lawmakers hardened their stance against some of the proposed anti-terrorism measures.

Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Mississippi, doubted that the Senate would rush to action before they recess this weekend. The Senate needs to study all the options, he said, and trying to get it done in the next three days would be tough.

One key GOP senator was more critical, calling a proposed study of chemical markers in explosives "a phony issue."

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, emerged from the meeting and said, "These are very controversial provisions that the White House wants. Some they're not going to get."

Hatch said the compromise bill would prevent international terrorist organizations from raising money in the United States and provide for the swift deportation of international terrorists.

The Republicans also dropped the additional wire-tap authority the Clinton administration wanted. U.S. Attorney general Janet Reno had asked for "multi-point" tapping of suspected terrorists, who may be using advanced technology to outpace authorities.

Rep. Charles Schumer, D-New York, said technology is giving criminals an advantage. "What the terrorists do is they take one cellular phone, use the number for a few days, throw it out and use a different phone with a different number," he said. "All we are saying is tap the person, not the phone number."

The measure, which the Senate passed overwhelmingly Wednesday evening, is a watered-down version of the White House's proposal. The Clinton administration has been critical of the bill, calling it too weak. AP

Answer 3

In Britain they allow the intelligence service broad latitude in these matters as they were at war with the IRA before Islamic terrorists

Answer 4

No. Not in all cases.

I would like to see an intelligent response from the Bushbots as to exactly WHAT Homeland Security would expect to find in the lending records of a public library. Exactly WHAT kind of "sensitive information" is one likely to find in a library that couldn't be found via any internet connection....?

Answer 5

Absolutely not. The Patriot Act is anything BUT patriotic. It's a disgraceful un-American policy. It needs and will be rescinded.

Answer 6

FYI: The recently thwarted terrorist plot in Britain a couple of months ago was due to wire taps and surveillence powers granted by British intelligence. Perhaps you would have rather had another major terrorist attack?

Answer 7

They are not justified

They are not legal

They are not Constitutional

They are systematic of the beakdown of our democracy......

accelerated by the proto-fascist regime that came to power
(but not by election) in 2000

Answer 8

nope; the failure of intelligence in Iraq given they had no restrictions (they could wire tap spy satellite to their hearts content) and we ended up in a false war.

Answer 9

Nope, not at all--because that makes EVERYONE a suspect, and there goes the "innocent until proven guilty" stance.

Answer 10

Never. Unless one resides in the former Soviet Union.