House votes to extend Patriot Act

Plain Old Jane · 07-22-2005, 03:44 AM

The long and largely unargued past of the patriot act is one I've spent weeks researching during english and philosophy classes. From the rediculous rights it allows gov't agencies in seeking out terrorism, to its conception in 1998, to the fact that nobody of import actually read it while it was going through the House. Republican's used to get their panties in a wad over states rights, whilst this act supercedes municipality when the state wishes. (granted, the practical use is library records, but the implications are scary with what they CAN do.) But recently, the house spent some well used time culling and re-examining the articles of the Patriot act.

The provisions largely an issue are a few portions which extend four year sunset clauses into indefinite ones, and making the four year provisions into ten year ones.

Another bill was also passed that allows the FBI to subpeona records without a judge or grand jury. Which theres no real problem with, but there are already precendants which allow this sort of thing.

Also new in effect are mandatory sentences for terroristic acts. 20 years for rail attack, 30 if any nuclear material is used, and LIFE if anyone is killed in the attack, with definite possibility of death penalty.

One new amendment calls for the FBI director to approve any requests for records, either information or medical. Which is a prudent choice considering the implications if there are no checks and balances so to speak.

"Periodically revisiting the Patriot Act is a good thing," said Rep. Martin Meehan, D-Massachusetts. "The Patriot Act was an effort to answer the most difficult question a democracy faces: How much freedom are we willing to give up to feel safe?"

07-22-2005, 03:44 AM	#1
Plain Old Jane i hate vagina Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 841	House votes to extend Patriot Act The long and largely unargued past of the patriot act is one I've spent weeks researching during english and philosophy classes. From the rediculous rights it allows gov't agencies in seeking out terrorism, to its conception in 1998, to the fact that nobody of import actually read it while it was going through the House. Republican's used to get their panties in a wad over states rights, whilst this act supercedes municipality when the state wishes. (granted, the practical use is library records, but the implications are scary with what they CAN do.) But recently, the house spent some well used time culling and re-examining the articles of the Patriot act. The provisions largely an issue are a few portions which extend four year sunset clauses into indefinite ones, and making the four year provisions into ten year ones. Another bill was also passed that allows the FBI to subpeona records without a judge or grand jury. Which theres no real problem with, but there are already precendants which allow this sort of thing. Also new in effect are mandatory sentences for terroristic acts. 20 years for rail attack, 30 if any nuclear material is used, and LIFE if anyone is killed in the attack, with definite possibility of death penalty. One new amendment calls for the FBI director to approve any requests for records, either information or medical. Which is a prudent choice considering the implications if there are no checks and balances so to speak. "Periodically revisiting the Patriot Act is a good thing," said Rep. Martin Meehan, D-Massachusetts. "The Patriot Act was an effort to answer the most difficult question a democracy faces: How much freedom are we willing to give up to feel safe?"