Democracy in America dealt a blow. 14 Patriot Act Provisions made permanent.

[Taco John]

Democracy died a little today. I will never vote again for anyone that is currently in office.


Patriot Act wins final approval in Congress

By Thomas Ferraro | March 2, 2006

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Capping months of partisan wrangling, the U.S. Senate gave final congressional approval on Thursday to renewing the USA Patriot Act, which expanded the government's power to track down foes in the war on terrorism.

A day after passing a related bill to better protect civil liberties under the act, the Senate endorsed the overall measure 89-10. It next goes to President George W. Bush to sign into law. The House of Representatives passed it in December.

First enacted shortly after the September 11 attacks, the Patriot Act broadened the ability of the U.S. government to obtain private records, conduct wiretaps and searches and share information.

Fierce debate over the act's renewal has pitted critics who say its provisions have infringed too much on basic rights against backers who say such measures are essential to safeguard America against further attacks.

With 16 provisions of the act set to expire next week, the bill would make 14 of them permanent and extend two others by four years.

The bill would also provide fresh tools to combat terrorist financing, protect mass transit, secure ports and curb abuse of methamphetamines, a highly addictive drug.

The version approved by the House included a number of changes to better safeguard privacy. But Senate Democrats, joined by a handful of Republicans, demanded more.

"I applaud the Senate for voting to renew the Patriot Act and overcoming the partisan attempts to block its passage," Bush said in a statement issued during his trip to South Asia.

"The terrorists have not lost the will or the ability to attack us," he added. "The Patriot Act is vital to the war on terror and defending our citizens against a ruthless enemy."

Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, who led the opposition to renewal, predicted that more safeguards would eventually be adopted.

"This fight is not over," Feingold said.

PARTISAN FIGHT

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a Tennessee Republican, also hailed passage of the bill, but said, "Due to persistent delays by some of my friends on the other side of the aisle, it has taken far too long."

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, who opposed the measure until more changes were made, said Congress can provide the government the power it needs to protect Americans "and at the same time ensure oversight to prevent abuses."

Passage of the bill was made possible by Senate approval on Wednesday of an administration-backed compromise bill, which would provide additional privacy protections.

One change would clarify that traditional libraries would not be subjected to federal subpoenas issued without the approval of a judge.

Another would remove a previously proposed requirement that recipients of such subpoenas provide the FBI with the names of their lawyers.

A third would allow individuals to challenge gag orders when they have been subpoenaed to produce personal information. But they would have to wait a year to do so.

Among the additional revisions already being pushed in the Senate for consideration later this year is one that would require the government to notify targets of "sneak-and-peek" searches within seven days.

[CRONUS]

The bill would also provide fresh tools to combat terrorist financing, protect mass transit, secure ports and curb abuse of methamphetamines, a highly addictive drug.


Because we all know meth heads are high on the list of terrorist threats.:rolleyes:

[Taco John]

A letter I have written to my Senator:


Dear Senator Murray,

As an active voter, I just wanted to let you know that you and all of the current congressional representatives for Washington State have died to me today and can never salvage my vote after hearing the news that 14 provisions of the Patriot Act have been made permanent. Your weakness is a discredit to Washington State and this great nation.

Down the line, when this power grab goes wrong, I will have no comfort pondering the connundrum of which was worse, having a weak president like Bush, or having gutless congressional representatives like yourself.

Sincerely,
a Disgusted Washingtonian

[Joe Seahawk]

A letter I have written to my Senator:


Dear Senator Murray,

As an active voter, I just wanted to let you know that you and all of the current congressional representatives for Washington State have died to me today and can never salvage my vote after hearing the news that 14 provisions of the Patriot Act have been made permanent. Your weakness is a discredit to Washington State and this great nation.

Down the line, when this power grab goes wrong, I will have no comfort pondering the connundrum of which was worse, having a weak president like Bush, or having gutless congressional representatives like yourself.

Sincerely,
a Disgusted Washingtonian

Uh, you better write back and apologize. Murray was on your side.. Cantwell is the one who voted for it (because she is up for re-election in 06) ROFL

[Taco John]

Uh, you better write back and apologize. Murray was on your side.. Cantwell is the one who voted for it (because she is up for re-election in 06) ROFL



I don't care what side she was on. They all must pay. I will not vote for a single representative that is currently in office.

[Joe Seahawk]

I don't care what side she was on. They all must pay. I will not vote for a single representative that is currently in office.


OK, but why did you choose Murray, when she voted with you.. Do you have a crush on Cantwell or something? She's the one who is suddenly turning into a moderate.. Just curious..

[Joe Seahawk]

Cantwell did however vote against it before voting for it
... :)

[Taco John]

OK, but why did you choose Murray, when she voted with you.. Do you have a crush on Cantwell or something? She's the one who is suddenly turning into a moderate.. Just curious..



I sent the note to each representative in both houses. Cantwell got it as well.

[the Talking Can]

sweet...police states rule

warantess wire taps...no habeas corpus...limitless executive power...gag orders....

Russ Feingold....only honest man left...

[CHIEF4EVER]

I knew it was coming but it still sucks and it still pisses me off. :cuss::mad:

Someone please give me a link that shows which Congressmen from Missouri voted for this lunacy. Thanks in advance.

[Amnorix]

I don't care what side she was on. They all must pay. I will not vote for a single representative that is currently in office.


You realize this is a completely retarded position to take, right?

[Mr. Kotter]

sweet...police states rule

warantess wire taps...no habeas corpus...limitless executive power...gag orders....

Russ Feingold....only honest man left...

:rolleyes:


What? You associate with, or harbor terrorists?

Not that it would surprise me.....;)

[patteeu]

I don't know why it needed to be made permanent instead of just extending it and I don't think it should be used as a tool for fighting run-of-the-mill crime.

[banyon]

I knew it was coming but it still sucks and it still pisses me off. :cuss::mad:

Someone please give me a link that shows which Congressmen from Missouri voted for this lunacy. Thanks in advance.

Bond (R-MO), Yea
Talent (R-MO), Yea

Senate (http://http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00025)

Y
_______
Clay (D)
Blunt (R)
Hulshof (R)
Akin (R)
Skelton (D)
Graves (R)
Emerson (R)

N
_____
Carnahan (D)
Cleaver (D)


House (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll627.xml)

[Donger]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/20060302/cm_usatoday/norightshavebeenviolated;_ylt=Asr1001Z1TBdYOXQDcmAWx.s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3YWFzYnA2BHNlYwM3NDI-

[banyon]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/20060302/cm_usatoday/norightshavebeenviolated;_ylt=Asr1001Z1TBdYOXQDcmAWx.s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3YWFzYnA2BHNlYwM3NDI-
Senselessbrenner is a complete tool, even among Republicans. Watch him run a commitee sometime.

He, of course, conveniently forgets to mention that, under the Patriot Act, it is a crime to reveal that a government search of records has taken place. So investigating the matter is kind of difficult.

[BIG_DADDY]

Is it any wonder so many people are leaving the country once they have made their money?

[the Talking Can]

:rolleyes:


What? You associate with, or harbor terrorists?

Not that it would surprise me.....;)

sorry...I should save my crying for blowjobs...I keep forgetting, how stupid...you are....how is Clinton's penis by the way?

[CHIEF4EVER]

Bond (R-MO), Yea
Talent (R-MO), Yea

Senate (http://http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00025)

Y
_______
Clay (D)
Blunt (R)
Hulshof (R)
Akin (R)
Skelton (D)
Graves (R)
Emerson (R)

N
_____
Carnahan (D)
Cleaver (D)


House (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll627.xml)

Well, I know who ain't getting my vote friggin EVER AGAIN. I am somewhat shocked that Skelton voted yea. He is my Rep and he is getting a nasty gram from me today or tomorrow. This is the kind of shite that happens when your representatives quit being representatives and instead are politicians.

[Brock]

I don't care what side she was on. They all must pay. I will not vote for a single representative that is currently in office.

Be sure to tell your retarded neighbor to do the same.

[Reaper16]

Because we all know meth heads are high on the list of terrorist threats.:rolleyes:
If they actually were, then we'd have more Homeland Security officials in my town instead of the current amount: one.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Bond (R-MO), Yea
Talent (R-MO), Yea

Senate (http://http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00025)

Y
_______
Clay (D)
Blunt (R)
Hulshof (R)
Akin (R)
Skelton (D)
Graves (R)
Emerson (R)

N
_____
Carnahan (D)
Cleaver (D)


House (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll627.xml)Jim Talent is a Senator.

Edited for fairness.

[Reaper16]

I knew there was a reason that I liked Cleaver and Carnahan.

[patteeu]

Jim Talent is a snake. One of my former students worked on his campaign and she had some interesting stories.

I'm interested in interesting stories. Can you tell us about them?

[Mr. Kotter]

I'm interested in interesting stories. Can tell us about them?

That would require effort and thought to be put into his posts.

Although he is talented. If anyone can reduce such stories to another flippant and snide remark....he could. I think he's taken lessons from the other poster known for that. Heh.

[Pitt Gorilla]

I'm interested in interesting stories. Can you tell us about them?I'd gladly tell you over a brew sometime. Teaching at a college, you get more Young Republicans and Young Democrats than one might think. Many of these kids are very active in their respective clubs and volunteer on campaigns. Of course, some of the kids become disenchanted during their experiences. I suppose the only stories I get to hear are the negative ones where the student has been disappointed.

Per Kotter's remarks, I should retract my statement. I don't know Talent personally. I only know what my student told me. Hey, they could be not telling the truth. So, consider the "snake" part retracted.

[patteeu]

I'd gladly tell you over a brew sometime. Teaching at a college, you get more Young Republicans and Young Democrats than one might think. Many of these kids are very active in their respective clubs and volunteer on campaigns. Of course, some of the kids become disenchanted during their experiences. I suppose the only stories I get to hear are the negative ones where the student has been disappointed.

Per Kotter's remarks, I should retract my statement. I don't know Talent personally. I only know what my student told me. Hey, they could be not telling the truth. So, consider the "snake" part retracted. Jim Talent may or may not be a snake.

Sounds good. Just so it's clear, I wasn't challenging you (like I do on some occasions around here), I was just curious. I have no particular allegiance to Talent or any knowledge of what kind of person he is.

[Mr. Kotter]

I'd gladly tell you over a brew sometime. Teaching at a college, you get more Young Republicans and Young Democrats than one might think. Many of these kids are very active in their respective clubs and volunteer on campaigns. Of course, some of the kids become disenchanted during their experiences. I suppose the only stories I get to hear are the negative ones where the student has been disappointed.

Per Kotter's remarks, I should retract my statement. I don't know Talent personally. I only know what my student told me. Hey, they could be not telling the truth. So, consider the "snake" part retracted.

See, Gerry....that wasn't so bad. :clap:

ROFL

Re....er, eh....let me think about it.... :hmmm:

[Pitt Gorilla]

Sounds good. Just so it's clear, I wasn't challenging you (like I do on some occasions around here), I was just curious. I have no particular allegiance to Talent or any knowledge of what kind of person he is.Yeah, I know. I'd just prefer not to tell it on the "intranet." Although I don't appreciate Kotter's personal remarks, it did make me think about my statement.

[Mr. Kotter]

Yeah, I know. I'd just prefer not to tell it on the "intranet." Although I don't appreciate Kotter's personal remarks, it did make me think about my statement.

My God you are tightly wound, aren't you? :rolleyes:

You should go to Happy Hour.....and find some companionship.......

[Pitt Gorilla]

My God you are tightly wound, aren't you? How so?

[Mr. Kotter]

How so?

Unless you are referring to my use of your name, saying "I don't appreciate Kotter's personal remarks"....based on what I've said here....would be pretty petty and thin-skinned.

If OTOH, you just prefer no names, I can respect that.....

I assumed it was the first case; if it's the second, I'll edit my remarks if you prefer.

[Iowanian]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah