Obama signs one-year extension of Patriot Act

[RainMickey]

Source: MYWAY

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama has signed a one-year extension of several provisions in the nation's main counterterrorism law, the Patriot Act.

Provisions in the measure would have expired on Sunday without Obama's signature Saturday.

The act, which was adopted in the weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, expands the government's ability to monitor Americans in the name of national security.

Three sections of the Patriot Act that stay in force will:

_Authorize court-approved roving wiretaps that permit surveillance on multiple phones.

_Allow court-approved seizure of records and property in anti-terrorism operations.

_Permit surveillance against a so-called lone wolf, a non-U.S. citizen engaged in terrorism who may not be part of a recognized terrorist group.



Read more: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20100228/D9E4T02G0.html

[elocs]

1. Old news, was posted here last night.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[RainMickey]

2. Sorry, I looked

But didn't see it.

[saigon68]

42. Change to believe in

[bkozumplik]

20. agreed, wheres that blackwaterdog post?

got the link? Lets not talk about the 'Patriot' act.
God Obama is so hunky AND SO smart, lets talk about THAT some more.
There's already been a posting about this a few hours ago people. Move along. Nothing to see here.

[RedCloud]

3. Boo and subsequently boo! We are supposed to be the good guys now.

[cstanleytech]

27. Hold on just a minute there......

Now from the article it says

"_Authorize court-approved roving wiretaps that permit surveillance on multiple phones.

_Allow court-approved seizure of records and property in anti-terrorism operations.

_Permit surveillance against a so-called lone wolf, a non-U.S. citizen engaged in terrorism who may not be part of a recognized terrorist group."

So what exactly is so horrible about those provisions or is the article not providing some information that you know of that makes this so horrible?

[scentopine]

4. yes, old news - torture, wiretapping, war based on lies, escalation...

Obama published this story last year shortly after taking office under the headline

"Citing Need for Bipartisanship, New President Promises No Real Change"

[marshall]

25. That happened 24 hours ago--it's time to move on!

News certainly ages faster than it used to.

[panzerfaust]

52. Yep, Old News - Poof *forget it*

What was that mate?

Oh, just the Patriot Bus taking non-patriots who deny we've always been at war with Eastasia to the Patriot Learning Center.

What's on TV?

[AllyCat]

5. Ah yes, individual liberty my a$$ Thanks Obama for nothing. Again

But hey, we are safer, right? Right?

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[AzDar]

7. I wonder if the constitutional scholar in him died just a bit...

[OnyxCollie]

10. The constitutional scholar in him

has been a corpse since FISA.

[razorman]

13. Probably not. But the politician in him just beat the crap out of the scholar.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Autumn]

9. I am getting sicker and sicker of this

crap. Did I dream that Bush was out and a "Democrat" won the election?

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[proudohioan]

19. OMG; I had forgotten about the library and bookstore records.....

I now recall a case in Denver some years back. Here's the link; it's kind of interesting. Note the year...

www.tatteredcover.com/newsletter/165901

While the Colorado Supreme Court did rule in favor of Tattered Cover, it's still pretty scary stuff, and the longer we take this kind of action as "normal, for the sake of our security", the more our rights and privacy get chipped away, slowly but surely.

I feel that way about folks who believe that all of this beefed up security at airports is "for our own safety and security".....

Obama is becoming more and more of a disappointment to me.

[SlingBlade]

12. Change You Can Believe In

[TankLV]

15. Belief You Can Change In - if the situation presents itself!!!

[Dr.Phool]

18. Change you can make believe in.

We're going to Disney World.

[OhioChick]

14. "Change"

[pundaint]

16. For Shame, Mr. President

[humbled_opinion]

17. I guess Obama just doesn't get it

I guess he really does want the same Poll numbers of his predecessor he seems to be doing everything the same. Just saying

[cstanleytech]

30. You and others are going on about this but no one has answered me yet.

Whats so horrible exactly about the extension for those 3 parts the article listed? Since Obama has taken office have there been any cases of abuse of the law....at all?
If its an issue of them not passing more oversight, ok I can see that and in fact support it needing that and maybe some other checks put into place but otherwise whats the problem?

[humbled_opinion]

32. OK here is a mirror and a time machine

Go back 7 years to its enactment by Bushco and watch what you have to say about it.

Are you blindly led?

The Problem is the power that is given to those that would rule you silly not who is weilding that power.

Now jump back in your time machine and jump forward 3 years and look in your mirror and see what you are saying as Sarah Palin is extending the same legislation

Get the POINT?

[cstanleytech]

35. Ya know we arent sheep or not supposed to be.

We all have different views so lets leave the sheep over with the republians k?
Now, I agreed it could do with more checks in place to balance it already but my question was how are those 3 things listed in the article bad?
And comparing Obama to Bush wont cut it as an answer, we all know Bush did abuse the law by not getting warrants for wiretaps, this however is about a provision of the law that requires them so again how is requiring a warrant a bad thing?
I am more then willing to listen while you explain in detail.

[RainMickey]

43. I get your point!

It's called having principles. Unfortunately some here don't have any. Some here can't seem to muster the outrage.

[cstanleytech]

44. Fine, you explain it then to me how is requiring a warrant a bad thing?

Did the article that started this whole thread neglect to provide some information on some additional provisions other then then 3 listed that also got extended that I am unaware of?

[RainMickey]

45. Perhpas you had no problem...

...........when Bush signed the Patriot Act the first time it was enacted into law. If you were pleased with the law then, then you have every right to be pleased with it now. If you howled like I did when Bush signed it, then you should howl when Obama signs it as well. And let's face it, many of the policies most of us here abhorred under Bush, continue along their merry way under Obama despite promises of 'change'.

[cstanleytech]

46. How about leaving the twisting of things (like putting words into my mouth) to the republicans.

FYI I did have alot of problems with most of the so called patriot act at that time mainly due to lack oversight for it, right now though we are merely addressing these three provisions and these three alone unless the articled neglected to mention how other parts of it got extended.
Now, would ya stop dodging answer the question of what is wrong with the extension for these 3 things?
I mean feel free by all means to break it down on why the extension for a year is a bad thing, I'm willing to listen to your reasons provided their sound enough but I want reasons, not bashing me by trying to accuse me of something I never did or said.
Personally, imo if they have a "legal" warrant from a court for a wiretap it kinda makes sense with the ease of which people can carry multiple cellphones that the warrant allow for it, technology changes as must our laws after all.
Would I have liked more oversight oversight in regards to the use of said warrants? Sure, I have no problem with that and I have been from the start.

[donco6]

21. But - he had a veto-proof majority!

He HAD to sign it! Right?

Actually, NO, he didn't. He signed it because he wanted to sign it. He could have vetoed it and made them override it. Which is what someone with principle would have done. But we've made that a foul word, haven't we? It's all about being "politically aware". Pfaw.

[scottsoperson]

26. most americans are afraid of change

that is the problem, i contend.

[onenote]

40. Vetoing a bill sponsored by seven senior Democrats? Approved by voice vote in the Senate?

A bill on which a majority of the Democrats in the House voted Aye?

Not going to be vetoed by any president any time.

[donco6]

48. Well, not unless he has some balls anyway.

Not a problem here.

[trusty elf]

22. delete

[Arctic Dave]

23. Where are the cheerleaders? This is great news!!!!

[Dinger]

24. *Crickets*

They sure are quiet. But I believe their numbers are dwindling, even here on DU.

[Loge23]

28. The " We are scared little people" Act

Certainly not patriots by any definition of the term.
We are officially now little scared rats who sacrifice the very essence of what it was to be an American in order to hang on to the flimsy belief that these provisions in this act will actually "protect" us.
Sonehow, I'm still hopeful that Obama will turn this thing around and become the President we elected him to be. But time is a wasting - along with health care, job opportunities, our future, and our rights.
What the heck happened to this guy - or is this really who he is??

[TheWatcher]

29. THANK GOD.

You know, when he first got elected, I was so worried that a lot of the wonderful things that Bush did to "keep us safe" would not be held over, and that the incredible draconian apparatus he and his Cabal built would be seriously endangered by someone who could, get this, value the Constitution (That Quaint Goddamn Piece Of Paper) and Civil Liberties over some Phantom War On Terror to protect us from "men in caves" who were "out to get us" because they "hate our freedom."

I know, ridiculous, right? What kind of radical would do something so Irresponsible and Un american?

Bush put a lot of hard work into the burgeoning Police State, and I was really losing sleep that this guy would come in and restore some sanity back into this country.

I am SO relieved this is not the case.

I mean, we have too much freedom as it is, and quite frankly we need to do everything we can to give up as much liberty and freedom as possible, so we can be basted in the tough Love of the Police State Cocoon of false Security, because as ANY free-thinking human being knows, that's MUCH more important.

I look forward to seeing more and more of Bush's hard work held over so we can be more safe than any people on Earth.

It's The New Freedom, and it's about time we all embrace it.

Now, if we could just get him to start another couple of wars, our way back to greatness will be COMPLETE, and we will be so awesomely free and so awesomely safe, we'll probably have a difficult time with dealing with the guilt of being so privileged.

This is Non-Change I Can Be Relieved About.

Oh, and lest I forget......

[scottsoperson]

31. i don't like the patriot act

but obama wants to keep his job.

[humbled_opinion]

33. Sigh

Extending it and not implementing correct checks and balances is one sure way to lose his job... Look at his polls... thats not just republicans silly..

[Jax]

36. How exactly will this help President Obama keep his job?

you say he 'wants to keep his job'.

With whom does this specifically help him to 'keep his job' with?

And why in your opinion.

[Skittles]

38. I DON'T LIKE RACISM, JAX

but if I SPEAK OUT ABOUT IT I might offend RACISTS

[MisterP]

47. it's #4 on the Big DLC List of Excuses

#1 is STFU! he's the Commander-in-Chief/Nobel-winning rock star
#2, "it's really a liberal policy," but you Naderite brats can't appreciate the genius of our omnipotent, omniscient living god and turn your nose up at Him
#3, it's chess
#4, it's pragmatic, since he's taking the issue away from the Republicans: he has to enact every one of the GOP's policies so the GOP doesn't win...and...enact...its...policies...
#4b, there's a little money for clinics/gay shelters/reforestation so WE MUST ENACT IT NOW NOW! GO! GO! MOVE!

nothing you wouldn't have seen in Trujillo's Partio Dominicano bulletins, I'm afraid

[Skittles]

37. well then that makes him no better than a fucking repuke

[humbled_opinion]

34. NICELY done..

We need a teabag emoticon though...LOL cause you pegged them.

[donco6]

39. You should make your own post of this.

It's funny and depressing at the same time.

[cstanleytech]

49. So, you expected him to overturn most of the dmg Bush and his pals (aka the republican party) did to

this country and also undo all the questionible laws Bush signed? My, thats a pretty big agenda there for one man to accomplish in less than a year when it took 6+ years for Bush.
Why not throw a few tons of stone on top of that pile ya expected Obama to move, ya know just for good measure.

Edit: Forgot to add, maybe ya should have voted for McCain then if you are unhappy, I'm sure palin would have made an excellant VP (and yes thats sarcasm folks)

[TheWatcher]

50. You forgot a few talking Points.

Here, let me help you.

"You Need To Be Patient"
"You Never Were A Real Democrat"
"You Just Want Obama To Fail"
"You're A Republican Operative"
"Stop Whining About Not Getting Your Pony"
"He's Playing A Complex Game Of Chess That None Of Us Are Bright Enough To Comprehend"
"He's Biding His Time, and Will Spring His Trap When He's Ready, and then you'll Feel SO Stupid"
"He'll Get To Your Issue His Second Term"
"He Really Is Pro-Gay, He Just Can't Afford To Give The Republicans Any Ammunition"
"You're Just A Racist"
"Poutrage!"
"Just Look At The Mess he Inherited."
"He Never Promised That During The Campaign"
"I Believe, I Support, I'm Confident, etc, etc, etc"
"You're Going To Make Us Look Bad To The Other Side"
"We Need To Stand By The President NO MATTER WHAT, Otherwise It Will Hurt Us In The Midterms"
"I just know He'll get things done, because his Speeches are so powerful"
"He is playing a Jedi Mind Trick so complex, it will astound even GOD HIMSELF when he reveals his Master Plan"
"Unicorn"
"Some Justice Is Better Than No Justice At All"

And please, get some new material.

This stuff is about a year past it's date of relevance.

Not that it HAD any relevance to begin with.

And, hate to break it to you boobie, CONTINUING Bush Policy is not working to overturn it. EXPANDING WARS is not ending them. No matter how you spin it to fit the American Idol Political Fantasy World you live in.

And please put this "You Should Have Voted For McCain" Meme to rest. It makes no sense as an argument.

Why?

Here. I'll explain it for you.

And I'll put it in BIG BOLD WORDS, so you don't miss anything.

I Didn't VOTE for McCain, because I WANTED REAL CHANGE. Not MORE OF THE SAME CRIMINAL BULLSHIT we suffered from the Previous Dictatorship.

People VOTED for OBAMA, because they wanted REAL CHANGE.

And He TALKED a GOOD GAME.

Possibly One of The BEST EVER.

But WORDS Mean NOTHING without ACTIONS.

He has not WORKED to OVERTURN ANYTHING. He has CONTINUED THE POLICY.

What about this do you not understand?

Or are you an example of what Orwell meant.

Up is Down.

Fear Is Courage.

Ignorance Is Strength.

Stupidity is Smart.

War Is Peace.

You just don't get it do you?

And you won't.

BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO.

You want to "Win." You want your "Football Team" in control. Because when that other "Football Team" is in control, everything is BAD.

But when it's your "Football Team" it's GOOD.

Maybe one day you are going to wake up to the harsh fact that at this point in the history of this formerly free country, that perhaps, just perhaps, NEITHER Side is on OUR Side.

The Side of We The People.

Now, you sit there, and you think about that, assuming you can think for yourself.

You can even scribe a response if you wish, but I can tell you right now, you are wasting your time, because all I will see is:

"Ignored"

Because people like you don't WANT to hear or know the TRUTH.

You want your Cocoon of Perception. It keeps you warm, and safe in the false security that the system of fake Political Theater you live in will being about the "Change" you are seeking.

And that makes conversing with you an even bigger waste of time than watching a Blank Tape.

But I'll leave with a little something. Something that I hope will someday puncture the Cocoon you and so many people live in, and turn on the Light Bulb Of Enlightenment.

Because when you wake up to the path your country is actually on, you're going to need some inspiration:

The Answer To 1984 Is 1776

[videotape]

51. Pointing the finger.

ahhhh blame it on Bush.
Wasn't it Obama who signed the extension? Yeah.

[jmowreader]

41. At this point we need a whole new terrorism bill

The American people, by and large, support the PATRIOT Act. And by and large they do so because it was specifically designed to be unreadable--most of it works by amending individual lines in a thousand other laws. So instead of "the Architect of the Capitol is directed to install a bastinado platform on the White House lawn" you get "amend paragraph 18 of subsection 6 of chapter 19 of the Defense Authorization Act of 2005 to add the phrase 'one full bunk (44 pieces) 2x12 Southern yellow pine dimensional lumber in 8 foot length, treated with Alkaline Copper Quaternary preservative to "ground contact" rating, and five pounds of 16d hot galvanized common nails, to be delivered to the Freight Receiving Department at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 20500." They can't read it so they have to take their leaders' word that it's a good bill. Those of us who have read it and know what's in there? We know it's an evil bill, but when the president says it's good and some unknown person says it's bad, who are you going to trust? (Before you answer that, remember: he claimed in his campaign he was the right man to be president because he knew what it was like to run a business and meet a payroll even though he ran three oil companies into the ground and traded Sammy Sosa.)

We NEED a healthcare bill, a jobs bill, an economic stimulus bill and a terrorism bill. We have a terrorism bill that's bad but it can't possibly get worse if they don't amend it, so let's do this: extend the dangerous terror bill a year and get the other three bills enacted before we throw the terrorism bathwater out (at this point with that law I'd consider throwing the baby out too because it keeps me up all night shooting craps and smoking cigars) and start fresh.