WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2009
Obama Supports 3 Patriot Act Provisions
Administration in Favor of Extending Portions of Law Set to Expire at End of Year
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(CBS/ AP)
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Lawmakers and civil rights groups had been pressing the Democratic administration to say whether it wants to preserve the post-Sept. 11 law's authority to access business records, as well as monitor so-called "lone wolf" terrorists and conduct roving wiretaps.
The provision on business records was long criticized by rights groups as giving the government access to citizens' library records, and a coalition of liberal and conservative groups complained that the Patriot Act gives the government too much authority to snoop into Americans' private lives.
As a presidential candidate, Barack Obama said he would take a close look at the law, based on his past expertise in constitutional law. Back in May, President Obama said legal institutions must be updated to deal with the threat of terrorism, but in a way that preserves the rule of law and accountability.
In a letter to lawmakers, Justice Department officials said the administration supports extending the three expiring provisions of the law, although they are willing to consider additional privacy protections as long as they don't weaken the effectiveness of the law.
Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich wrote Sen. Patrick Leahy, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, that the administration is willing to consider stronger civil rights protections in the new law "provided that they do not undermine the effectiveness of these important (provisions)."
Leahy responded with a statement saying it is important for the administration and Congress to "work together to ensure that we protect both our national security and our civil liberties."
The committee has scheduled a hearing next week on the Patriot Act.
From 2004 to 2007, the business records provision was used 220 times, officials said. Most often, the business records were requested in combination with requests for phone records.
The lone wolf provision was created to conduct surveillance on suspects with no known link to foreign governments or terrorist groups. It has never been used, but the administration says it should still be available for future investigations.
The roving wiretaps provision was designed to allow investigators to quickly monitor the communications of a suspects who change their cell phone or communication device, without investigators having to go back to court for a new court authorization. That provision has been used an average of 22 times a year, officials said.
Michelle Richardson of the American Civil Liberties Union called the administration's position "a mixed bag," and said that the group hopes the next version of the Patriot Act will have important safeguards on other issues, particularly the collecting of international communications, and a specific bar on surveillance of protected First Amendment activities like peaceful protests or religious assembly.
"We're heartened they're saying they're willing to work with Congress," Richardson said, adding that is "definitely a sea change from what we've seen in the past."
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- I would sooner have my freedoms and rights, let them expire and I will take care of my own security without infringing on any freedoms of anyone else. But then most people do not understand that they have lost both freedom and security with the act that was rushed through, drop it and we will get back some of our freedoms they have taken.
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- The neocons are all twisted up in knots over this one. The "socialist" president supports provisions signed into law by their Republican hero. They just don't know what to think now.
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- Finally something I agree on Obama with.
'Michelle Richardson of the American Civil Liberties Union called the administration's position "a mixed bag," '
Funny how when Obama supports the PA it gets described as a 'mixed bag'. If this had been George W he would have gotten slammed by the ACLU. - Reply to this comment
- "It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from its government. When the government fears the people it is liberty. When the people fear the government it is tyranny."
- Thomas Paine - Reply to this comment
- "It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from its government. When the government fears the people it is liberty. When the people fear the government it is tyranny."
- Thomas Paine - Reply to this comment
- Does anyone need more proof that we are looking at just another politician that will say anything to get elected and then do whatever he wants afterwords?
That's another thing that's bringing down the USA, an unending succession of slimeball politicians. There's not 10¢ worth of difference between one party and the other. - Reply to this comment
- It seems that if these laws were used so infrequently, they are not necessary. When you consider the alleged danger to the US by terrorists the amount used is miniscule. I didn't like those laws under Bush, I do not like those laws under Obama. Get rid of them. They obviously aren't needed any way.
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- Obama.
Just a simple war criminal like all the rest.
ST
"Torture is not confusing at all. The stench of the vomit and blood and urine and feces expelled by its victims, and their wrenching cries for mercy or death, are clear evidence that abomination is working its evil will.
No one can deny, or claim ignorance, of its stain.
And its stain upon America will never be erased.
There are some things that you can never take back."
SearingTruth
A Future of the Brave - Reply to this comment
- "I writhed in anguish for years. Always knowing pain was coming, but never knowing what I should attempt to say next, or how I should appear so that my American torturers would believe me.
The problem was that I was innocent."
SearingTruth
A Future of the Brave - Reply to this comment
- The whole rotten act is just a scam to end the US Bill of Rights.
- Reply to this comment
- "Our last great hope is doing the same as our last great tyrant."
SearingTruth
A Future of the Brave - Reply to this comment
- Altering the Patriot Act would be a legislative nightmare. Obama can't simply scrap parts of it and retains others on his whim. He'll need legislative approval to mold it into the kind of document he thinks we should have.
You all know what kind of a partisan free-for-all that's going to be; we won't get anything hammered out until 2096.
But what he can do is issue an executive order declaring the whole works null and void. Then present for congress' approval provisions similar to what is in the "Lone Wolf" section now. Even the right-wing whacks we have in the house and senate will have a hard time justifying to their constituents sinking a stand-alone Lone Wolf bill. - Reply to this comment
- by Truth-n-Honor September 15, 2009 9:25 PM EDT
woe , whats going on here. Last week you were against Patriot Act.
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Listen, I don't recognize your name as one that I frequently exchange with here. Apparently you don't know me. I would never make a blanket statement like you claim I did.
I have never even discussed the Patriot Act here...until this thread. So let's just leave it at that. - Reply to this comment
- The "Lone Wolf" provisions were created to empower DHS with the authority to act with streamlined speed against domestic terrorists that include those support anti-abortion activities, anti-tax activities, and weapons collectors known to hoard stockpiles in religious locations.
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- I say scrap the whole thing.
When someone operating outside the law changes numbers, they don't just change the SIM card, because the IMEI number still IDs the phone with every call. They change phones, hand phones are cheap nowadays.
The only way to monitor them is to tap all phones, which is an unconstitutional invasion of privacy.
"Lone wolf" has never been used? With the neo-nazi terrorists in the US, lke the kkki, aryan nations, mminutemen, etc., walking around? If it hasn't been used yet, then there obviously is no intent to use it to combat terrorism, so scrap it also.
Business records? Warrants suffice to obtain those, and have ever since the RICO statutes at least, there is no need for extra law to cover even this.
Scrap it all.
And while at it, use existing laws to rid the country of the aforementioned domestic terrorists.
Then talk to me about "combatting terrorism".
- I say scrap the whole thing.
- His expertise in Constitutional law ? gimme a break, if he had any expertise in Constitutional law he wouldn't be doing one unconstitutional thing after another; like taking over private businesses instead of letting the Congress's Bankruptcy laws take care of the situation. Article I Section 8 Gives Congress that authority, not the President.
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- The lone wolf provision was created to conduct surveillance on suspects with no known link to foreign governments or terrorist groups. It has never been used, but the administration says it should still be available for future investigations.
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I especially hope Obama keeps this provision. With all the extremist activity from the ultra-right republican party, we need that provision. - Reply to this comment
- Well it's good to see Obama addressing this. I am sure he'll do what's best for the country.
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