Deal to Extend PATRIOT ACT Reached --

[defendandprotect]

“Sens. Reid and McConnell have introduced a clean, four-year extension of the Patriot Act, one of the critical tools the intelligence community has to keep America safe. The Senate will consider this legislation next week,” said Michael Brumas, a McConnell spokesman.

ttp://www.politico.com/news/stories/0511/55341.html



Americans have to wake up to the reality that this isn't about "terraism" -- it's about

control of the American population -- no different from when Nixon did it -- no different from

when Bush did it --


Wiretapping and torture are tools for a dictatorship -- not a democracy --

[leftstreet]

1. K&R

[sabrina 1]

2. "Wiretapping and torture are tools for a dictatorship -- not a democracy --"

Yes, we don't live in a democracy. We seem to be the only people who still think we do. It's interesting that countries now setting up their own democracies after decades of oppression, say they do not want a US-style government as it is not a good 'model for democracy'.

Just the numbers of people we have incarcerated eg. The biggest prison population probably in the history of the world. And the money spent on the War Machine, and law enforcement.

I hope we can restore it, but another two years added to the eight Bush spent demolishing it based on fear, have been wasted.

Maybe if we stopped killing people, we would have less to fear. But I don't buy this insanity that we have to give up our freedoms to save them. Orwell would be envious.

[defendandprotect]

5. "We don't live in a democracy -- we seem to be the only people who still think we do" -- !!

So ironic it almost calls for laughter ... if it weren't so sad!


The prison system which is becoming more and more privatized -- even re parole --


Ugh!

[kenfrequed]

3. Damn it!

WHY?

Seriously this shit needs to stop.

[RT Atlanta]

4. This was bad news when passed

I have always been amazed at how such a sweeping bit of legislation was passed so quickly** apparently without being read by many legislators in those days soon after 9/11/2001, without consequences, etc. but with the strong assurances that this bill had a "sunset" provision and its provisions were only needed temporarily. This was shoved down our collective throats. Contrast this with the nearly 1 1/2 years of bullshit the Democratic congressional majority was willing to put up with during the health care debate the other year.

Something in my gut told me that the "temporary" nature of this legislation was complete and utter bullshit and that we'd be stuck with it, and sure enough, police and other "law enforcement" agencies would soon use the provisions and powers against US citizens, not just the those "terrarists" as used to help sell the bill.

Much like the Bush tax cuts, this is permanent and will help our country continue its downward slide.

**and how was the fucking thing written so quickly... unless... unless it had been on the shelf awaiting the right time

[sabrina 1]

7. Yes, I remember how I felt when this was first reported on.

It's a perfect example of what Naomi Klein meant by 'shock doctrine'. They took advantage of 9/11 and forced this through, threatening any elected official who refused to sign it. I knew it would be permanent then and maybe even get worse.

[LetTimmySmoke]

6. Can't make a deal to end expensive oil subsidies, but they can make a deal to trample on more rights

The Bush Reich still lives.

[Canuckistanian]

8. Thank God

I was beginning to think Reid couldn't pull it off. :sarcasm: