the patriot act http://www.extremedrm.com/article/Data Seizure Powers Survive in Patriot Act /167968_1.aspx The government's power to seize a company's sensitive customer data without being subject to traditional standards of judicial review was one of the most controversial issues that federal lawmakers grappled with last year, and they will continue to struggle with it not only in 2006 but for years to come.
apparently the fbi has wanted to do a lot of these things but couldn't although the aclu has some gripes it appears that business and commerce are the hardest hit mainly due to trade secrets being stolen and the costs involved
Now if we would just hug our rose quartz crystals to our breasts, and love these beasts with all our might... we might... ummmmmmmmm
dont worry, the next president (democrat, probably) will undoubtedly be on the exact opposite side of the fence as bush. hopefully, some of the damage done to our constitutional rights can be fixed.
I get these letters every week. The folks below are, in my opinion, a bit zealous; but I feel that their call to action here is a good one. I also feel that the Patriot Act needs closure. If calling your Rep seems a bit too much, do write them an email and help push the pendulum towards the center. Here are a few other good sites... http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/ http://www.house.gov/writerep/ http://www.conservativeusa.org/mega-cong.htm
"The folks below are, in my opinion, a bit zealous" There is a time for zeal. Now is the best time in at least 100 years regarding the defense of American democracy.
Yeah, it's really weird and odd how people continue to think that the President really has all that much power in the USA. It's the congress that has the power, yet the administration is the one who takes all the blame and/or credit. And when the next president is elected, the same old farts will still be running the congress ...and any presidential bill must be approved by them!! Baron Max
Neildo-- help me out here and explain...? We certainly are cattle in many ways--easy to spook in one direction or the other. What I know is that, over the past decades, there has been a steady loss of individual privacy and the consolidation of economic power.
"when the next president is elected, the same old farts will still be running the congress" No, many will be discredited and removed from office. Some may even be in jail. If this isn't plain to you, you could refer to current events, Baron.
hypewaders, I think he is suggesting that power is in the money. It's the same just another face...maybe? Neildo...? If the Dem's regain control, what will they do?
First, they will have to play along with reforms. Then become corrupt. Then get replaced, if the promise of America doesn't falter. Impermanence in government is our best hedge against outright tyranny.
I suppose there is no equality in politics. It's enough to make a fella throw out his voter's card. What was that again, I have forgotten...?
i moved to europe partially because i was sick of being in the hands of a bunch of idiots. i have never looked back.
"What was that again, I have forgotten...?" I was thinking of it in this sense: If it should happen that in some coming "time of crisis", our ability to throw the bastards out is denied, repressed, or disguised (by the same bastards). In other words, the complete loss of our democracy would destroy the promise the founders provided. Although this would also vindicate Jefferson with some irony, who remarked "here is your democracy- if you can keep it", meaning that it is ever and always up to an interested and politically-engaged public to keep government in line. Our most essential checks and balances necessarily involve a public that pays attention and gives a shit.
