GOP preparing to use intelligence reform to smear Democratic candidates

[G_j]

PATRIOT Act Redux?

by Declan McCullagh, CNet.com

The GOP is preparing to use intelligence reform legislation to smear Democratic candidates.

http://news.com.com/2010-1071-5414087.html

With Election Day fast approaching, it was only a matter of time before the usual congressional shenanigans that typically punctuate the political season.

This time, politicians appear to have seized on what could be called the Patriot Act strategy, drafting antiterrorism legislation in secret and then ramming it through the Senate and House of Representatives with minimal debate. Then it's back to the home districts to boast how they protected voters from the bad guys.

The vehicles chosen for this strategy are two bills described as being inspired by the 9/11 Commission's report, a politically potent text that's become a best-selling book. The Senate and House have approved their own versions of the legislation, and negotiators are now meeting privately to decide on the final draft.

Early indications are not promising. While portions of the massive legislation are no doubt praiseworthy, other important sections--especially those envisioning stuffing more information into government databases--deserve special scrutiny from privacy hawks.

..more..

[Media_Lies_Daily]

1. Just so we understand what's going on....Patriot Act I is already on....

...the books as law. Portions of Patriot Act II are ALSO on the books as law having been passed as riders to other legislation. Additional portions of Patriot Act II are waiting in the wings...and I'm almost 100% positive they are buried in this new, and MUCH more damaging, legislation discussed above.

The Constitution as we once knew it has already been kicked to the curb. You can be detained indefinitely with nio charges filed, the FBI is allowed to collect any and all information on anyone in America without notice, and a private company is building a national database known as TIPS (remember it when it was part of the NeoCon Government?). What else can be done to limit the freedoms we once knew? Plenty, according to this article.

Excerpt:

That's why Jim Harper, director of information policy studies at the Cato Institute, is no fan of either bill. "They say that if we just put appropriate rules and restrictions in place, everything will be fine," Harper said. "But of course those rules and restrictions will drop away over the years or if there are new terrorist attacks. They say, 'Of course lion-taming is safe. They're our friends.' But then one day the lion grabs you by the neck and drags you off the stage."

A few other courageous Washingtonians have raised similar concerns. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, warned last week that the House bill "will not make America safer (but will definitely) make us less free." And 25 former senior officials from the FBI, CIA and military have sent a letter to Congress indicating that the 9/11 Commission's recommendations are flawed because the report whitewashed what went wrong on Sept. 11, 2001.

Unfortunately, with only 15 days left before the election, politicians will be tempted to place expedience over sober analysis of what's permitted by the U.S. Constitution. That's what happened in October 2001 with the mad scramble to enact the Patriot Act, and history is about to repeat itself.

[G_j]

2. "'Of course lion-taming is safe. They're our friends"

(famous last words)

"But then one day the lion grabs you by the neck and drags you off the stage."

:think::think::think::think: