The Always-Expanding Bipartisan Surveillance State

[rjaypeters]

Write your Senator and Congresscritter.

Quote: "First, consider what Democrats and Republicans just jointly did with regard to the Patriot Act, the very naming of which once sent progressives into spasms of vocal protest and which long served as the symbolic shorthand for Bush/Cheney post-9/11 radicalism:

Top congressional leaders agreed Thursday to a four-year extension of the anti-terrorist Patriot Act, the controversial law passed after the Sept. 11 attacks that governs the search for terrorists on American soil.

The deal between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker John Boehner calls for a vote before May 27, when parts of the current act expire. The idea is to pass the extension with as little debate as possible to avoid a protracted and familiar argument over the expanded power the law gives to the government. . . ."

Quote: "Some Patriot Act opponents suggest that Osama bin Laden's demise earlier this month should prompt Congress to reconsider the law, written when the terrorist leader was at the peak of his power. But the act's supporters warn that al-Qaida splinter groups, scattered from Pakistan to the United States and beyond, may try to retaliate.

"Now more than ever, we need access to the crucial authorities in the Patriot Act," Attorney General Eric Holder told the Senate Judiciary Committee."

Emphasis in original.

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn ... index.html

[MSimon]

http://powerandcontrol.blogspot.com/201 ... -list.html

[rjaypeters]

It turns out I am on a list. Well, not me, but somebody else named Robert Peters. Different middle name, etc. I'm sure.

I didn't know I was on a list until I tried to book my family's trip to Montana last summer for a family re-union. I couldn't get seat assignments on-line. When we got to the airport at a most un-godly hour, I asked why I couldn't get seat on-line. "You're on a list."

I also expect one day, if current trends continue, my recent posts here and elsewhere will put me and not just my near-namesake on a list.

[Giorgio]

It turns out I am on a list. Well, not me, but somebody else named Robert Peters. Different middle name, etc. I'm sure.

I didn't know I was on a list until I tried to book my family's trip to Montana last summer for a family re-union. I couldn't get seat assignments on-line. When we got to the airport at a most un-godly hour, I asked why I couldn't get seat on-line. "You're on a list."

I also expect one day, if current trends continue, my recent posts here and elsewhere will put me and not just my near-namesake on a list.

This is the reason why I am refusing myself to travel again in the States until they will get out of this security nonsense.
I miss the USA that I knew when I was a kid, it was a great country.

[MSimon]

I miss the USA that I knew when I was a kid, it was a great country.

Me Too! And I live here.

[rjaypeters]

And, of course, it's even worse than we knew.

There’s a Secret Patriot Act, Senator Says

Quote: "You may think you understand how the Patriot Act allows the government to spy on its citizens. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) says it’s worse than you’ve heard.

Congress is set to reauthorize three controversial provisions of the surveillance law as early as Thursday. But Wyden says that what Congress will renew is a mere fig leaf for a far broader legal interpretation of the Patriot Act that the government keeps to itself — entirely in secret. Worse, there are hints that the government uses this secret interpretation to gather what one Patriot-watcher calls a “dragnet” for massive amounts of information on private citizens; the government portrays its data-collection efforts much differently."

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/05 ... atriot-act

[Skipjack]

I do actually agree with you guys on that one. The security nonsense going on in the US and also the rest of the world (due to pressure by the US) is doing nothing to improve our personal savety, but greatly reduces our rights.

[Ivy Matt]

After Obama was sworn in, the main thing I was looking forward to was seeing whether or not he would sign an extension to the PATRIOT Act.

He did not surprise me.

[ladajo]

I do actually agree with you guys on that one. The security nonsense going on in the US and also the rest of the world (due to pressure by the US) is doing nothing to improve our personal savety, but greatly reduces our rights.

And increases our costs.

[Skipjack]

And increases our costs

Indeed. I believe that this whole nonsense was brought about by the security lobby. It is a big business.
Of course the tax payers and those that travel pay for it.

[rjaypeters]

Another sad idea: Osama bin Laden intended the United States to bankrupt itself trying to fight terrorism. We seem to have made at least part of his intention come true.

[Diogenes]

Another sad idea: Osama bin Laden intended the United States to bankrupt itself trying to fight terrorism. We seem to have made at least part of his intention come true.

A point which I don't see being made nearly often enough. The "war on terror" has become nothing but an excuse for statist "goodies" distributors to rationalize their profligate and reckless spending spree.

As other people have said before, "A Drunken Sailor quits spending when he runs out of money."

[rjaypeters]

Four More Years!

Patriot Act Extension Signed By Obama

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/2 ... lnk2|66412

God Bless Senator Rand Paul. Maybe next time.

[Giorgio]

Four More Years.

Good to know.
I will not feel the need to travel nor take any flight that stop in USA for the next four years than.

It might seem useless or silly, but it's my little contribution not to feed the system.

[rjaypeters]

And my country is the poorer because you and like-minded people will not be coming to visit, or maybe, stay.

On a lighter note. When I lived in Florida (I'm actually a native Floridian), I'd joke "Y'all come to Florida, spend your money and then go home to make some more!"