FBI Director Mueller III
The Patriot Act, often criticized under President Bush, is now about to be renewed by the Obama administration.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Robert S. Mueller III went before the U.S. Senate on March 26, 2009, asking that provisions in the USA Patriot Act be renewed. It will expire at the end of the year.
The Patriot Act was passed in response to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. At the time, the Bush administration was loudly criticized by privacy advocates who said it trampled on Americans' rights.
Two provisions in particular caused concern
- Allowing investigators probing terrorism to seek suspect's records from third parties such as financial services and travel and telephone companies without notifying the suspect. It was criticized as a violation of First Amendment rights.
- Permitting roving wiretaps of terrorism suspects. In the past, authorities had to seek court approval for each electronic device carried by a suspect, from a telephone and BlackBerry to a ome computer. Under the Patriot Act, one warrant can cover all of these machines.
So far, Attorney General Eric H. Holder has expressed some support for renewing the provisions. However, Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin, (D-Md.) of the Senate Judiciary Committe said
It is important that [Congress} examine more specifics. We want to make sure you have the tools that you need and that you have the proper oversight. There may need to be modifications...a fine tuning of these provisions to make sure they are effective and used as intended by Congress."
Democrats had roundly criticized the then Republican Congress and President Bush when the bills was passed. Now they and Obama have to decide whether or not to renew the Patriot Act. If it is renewed, it will bring down the wrath Democrats and civil libertarians. If it is not passed, and there is a terrorist attack that might have been prevented by the Act, it will be used by Republicans as proof that they were right in passing it to protect national security.
Want to add a comment?
Comments
Obama has deceived us. He is no Martin Luther King. He is a Bennedict Arnold. Our mail is still being opened, our phone call listened to, our e-mails read. Bush introduced Orwell's Thought Police; Obama is entrenching them deeply into our government. The Israelis are so overjoyed.
I am Jewish and I am adamantly against the Patriot Act and always have been. I hope they do something about it because it is morally wrong.
Obama is bad, and but Bush was evil.
Enough said.
cool- what does being Jewish have to do with your stand on this?
eagle eye- do you really think the israelis have anything to do with that? we run their freagging war machine. they dont get to tell us shiza.
oh and by the way, are there any sources for this article? where did this come from.....?
see above
Any one that was stupid enough to believe Obama is dumb. How many times do you people vote for a Democratic or Republican candidate? Most of them are bought before the even start. Vote for a 3rd party candidate. The young support third parties and independents but they don't go out and vote. We need to get rid of the corrupt.
The President has chosen to continue to overburden the people, where is your change now, new and old, everyone had such high hopes for the empty promises of Barrak Obama, he has lived up to one promise to ruin this country by dividing Americans, by monopolizing free enterprize, by taxing an overburdened small bus. enterprise, by fighting against our rights of the first Amendment, the second amendment, what else has to happen, should he bow to another forign dictator showing unsoverignty of our soverign nation, this guy is the worst president we have ever had besides Lincoln, yet democrats cling to change, we have lost ourselves with a belief of "Im Barrak Obama" his great campaign slogan when a question was asked, Ones he never answered, well ill keep America, Democrats you can keep the "CHANGE."
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!