Obama Backs Extending Patriot Act Spy Provisions

[futureage1]

Obama Backs Extending Patriot Act Spy Provisions

 

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/09/obama-backs-expiring-patriot-act-spy-provisions/

 

 

The Obama administration has told Congress it supports renewing three provisions of the Patriot Act due to expire at year’s end, measures making it easier for the government to spy within the United States.

 

In a letter to Sen. Patrick Leahy, the Vermont Democrat and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Justice Department said the administration might consider “modifications” to the act in order to protect civil liberties.

 

“The administration is willing to consider such ideas, provided that they do not undermine the effectiveness of these important authorities,” Ronald Weich, assistant attorney general, wrote to Leahy, (.pdf) whose committee is expected to consider renewing the three expiring Patriot Act provisions next week. The government disclosed the letter Tuesday.

 

It should come as no surprise that President Barack Obama supports renewing the provisions, which were part of the Patriot Act approved six weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

 

As an Illinois senator in 2008, he voted to allow the warrantless monitoring of Americans’ electronic communications if they are communicating overseas with somebody the government believes is linked to terrorism. That legislative package, which President George W. Bush signed, also immunized the nation’s telecommunication companies from lawsuits charging them with being complicit with the Bush administration’s warrantless, wiretapping program. That program was also adopted in the wake of Sept. 11.

 

These are the three provisions due to expire:

 

*A secret court, known as the FISA court, may grant “roving wiretaps” without the government identifying the target. Generally, the authorities must assert that the target is an agent of a foreign power and/or a suspected terrorist. The government said Tuesday that 22 such warrants — which allow the monitoring of any communication device — have been granted annually.

 

*The FISA court may grant warrants for “business records,” from banking to library to medical records. Generally, the government must assert that the records are relevant to foreign intelligence gathering and/or a terrorism investigation. The government said Tuesday that 220 of these warrants had been granted between 2004 and 2007. It said 2004 was the first year those powers were used.

 

*A so-called “lone wolf” provision, enacted in 2004, allows FISA court warrants for the electronic monitoring of an individual even without showing that the person is an agent of a foreign power or a suspected terrorist. The government said Tuesday it has never invoked that provision, but said it wants to keep the authority to do so.

 

“The basic idea behind the authority was to cover situations in which information linking the target of an investigation to an international group was absent or insufficient, although the target’s engagement in ‘international terrorism’ was sufficiently established,” Weich wrote.

 

The American Civil Liberties opposes renewing all three provisions, especially the lone wolf measure.

 

Michelle Richardson, the ACLU’s legislative counsel, said in a telephone interview, “The justification for FISA and these lower standards and letting it operate in secret was all about terrorist groups and foreign governments, that they posed a unique threat other than the normal criminal element. This lone wolf provision undercuts that justification.”

 

The committee hearing is set for 10 a.m. Sept. 23 and will be webcast live.

 

So where are the headlines on the liberal news sites and cable shows about this? Where are the fierce champions of the Constitution now that it's Obama and not Bush breaking the law? This is almost as slick as Obama saying he withdrew troops from Iraq. What he didn't tell you is he replaced them with private contractors(mercenaries) and sent the troops he withdrew from Iraq to Afghanistan. So in other words, he increased the troops and now wants even more troops for the unwinnable war in Afghanistan. Change we can believe in? More like the biggest bait and switch in history. If the progressives had any soul they would denounce Obama as they did Bush. They are both criminals, Obama is just as bad. He signs Bills he doesn't read and speaks words off a teleprompter he doesn't write and doesn't mean.

 

Pretty pathetic when they have to leak what Obama says about a musician at an awards show to get a bounce in his poles, since his policies are so unpopular. And the Democrats don't want to give you healthcare. They control all three branches of Govt. with large majorities. They are the ones who won't pass it because they could right now if they wanted but they don't. They just want to keep convincing you they are the lesser of two evils. From any objective viewpoint that argument is just about over and I'm sure all I will hear are crickets from his supporters since you have to be a hypocrite or completely uninformed to keeping supporting this bullshit that is once again the exact same policies as Bush that he denounced to get elected. It's nice he could go to Wall St. to give a speech to his corporate masters but could not bother to show up at any of the tent cities he helped create. That would have gotten support for regulation. How many people and families have to lose everything to keep paying bonuses Mr. President?

[remphish1]

Pretty pathetic when they have to leak what Obama says about a musician at an awards show to get a bounce in his poles, since his policies are so unpopular. And the Democrats don't want to give you healthcare. They control all three branches of Govt. with large majorities. They are the ones who won't pass it because they could right now if they wanted but they don't. They just want to keep convincing you they are the lesser of two evils. From any objective viewpoint that argument is just about over and I'm sure all I will hear are crickets from his supporters since you have to be a hypocrite or completely uninformed to keeping supporting this bullshit that is once again the exact same policies as Bush that he denounced to get elected. It's nice he could go to Wall St. to give a speech to his corporate masters but could not bother to show up at any of the tent cities he helped create. That would have gotten support for regulation. How many people and families have to lose everything to keep paying bonuses Mr. President?

 

Let me give you the best example of why I like Obama and most of his policies...

 

Tax cuts, credits I got from Bush: $600

 

Tax credits, cuts I got from Obama $9500

 

Yes I did buy a house Dec 2008 and a new furnace and windows but the first time home buyers credit and, furnace and energy efficient credits were enacted by Obama. I also like how he is closing off the national parks to further logging, raising fuel efficiency standards and capping of emmissions. In addition he signed the obvious bill of equal pay for equal work. I have several other reasons why I am happier under Obama than Bush.

 

Also in addition the Dow was 7949 on Jan 20, 2009 now it is 9791. Not bad for 7 months. With Obama even if his presidency ended after 7 months has done more good for the country then Bush did in 8 years. Obamas policies may not make sense in the short term to alot of folks but I feel in time we are getting stronger and healthier as a country.

 

Also the article mentioned he maybe renewing 3 provisions of the Patriot Act. That means most of it will expire and fade in the not to distant future!

[Good Old Neon]

futureage1 -

 

I agree with much of what you’ve written, and I would add that I have serious concerns regarding the way in which Obama has handled Gitmo. Glenn Greenwald has written about it extensively and often. He has remained a consistent critic of both Bush and Obama’s policies – his column in invaluable.

 

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/

 

Where you lose me, entirely, is when you start in with the N.W.O nonsense. It's conspiracy fodder, and only serves to undermine much of what you have to share.

[MattZ]

When you are right, you are right, futureage1. Not that this makes it any better, but I never believed that Obama was about the type of change that you seem to calling for, and that I wish for. Obama has changed quite a bit in this country, but I agree that it's around the edges (at best).

 

FWIW, there were cops everywhere today on the subway in NYC. Yesterday, too. No idea if it's related to the story from Queens, but I suspect it is. And I wonder if it is just a facade to calm nerves based on a story that 6mos from now ends up being exposed as bunk.

[W(TF)]

Also in addition the Dow was 7949 on Jan 20, 2009 now it is 9791. Not bad for 7 months.

 

This in and of itself is only "good news" on paper, and basically only for the wealthiest 10% of the nation. Consensus seems to be that real recovery is a very long way off if you want to talk about meaningful employment etc. And even then we are likely to see another bullshit "recovery" based on restoring the masses' faith and dependence on unsustainable consumer debt.

 

I think Obama is doing his best, and doing a lot more than that antichrist before him. But he ain't gonna be the messiah either.

 

 

[remphish1]

This in and of itself is only "good news" on paper, and basically only for the wealthiest 10% of the nation. Consensus seems to be that real recovery is a very long way off if you want to talk about meaningful employment etc. And even then we are likely to see another bullshit "recovery" based on restoring the masses' faith and dependence on unsustainable consumer debt.

 

I think Obama is doing his best, and doing a lot more than that antichrist before him. But he ain't gonna be the messiah either.

 

 

 

It is not good news only on paper. It shows the general health of the markets and economy. Yes the unemployement rates are terrible and lots of people are in bad shape but the rise in the dow shows more money is being injected into the system which will eventually trickle down into more hiring and spending by said companies which will help lift the economy. Sure we are a long way off but the trend is good. Interest rates have also creeped up. Believe me I am very very far away from being even in the wealthiest 50% of Americans but this recovery in the dow has helped my holdings significantly and my general well being. As far as Obama being the Messiah I don't think he is a Messiah but he really has helped right several pervious wrongs from the past administration and I applaud him for that.

[W(TF)]

Fair enough, and I hope the rest is also true. I've been dealing with too many personal issues this year to follow Obama closely, but I admire him as much as the next guy. It's just sad (and predictable) that he can't effect the kind of change he envisions, at least not with any kind of haste. Btw, I was in the US during several of the debates last year, as well as on election day. (just to make sure y'all did the right thing this time..hehe)

[Guest Jules]

This in and of itself is only "good news" on paper, and basically only for the wealthiest 10% of the nation.

I don't understand this.

[Good Old Neon]

I don't understand this.

 

I think he’s saying that, for the majority of middle to low income folks hit hard by the recession, the purported economic turnaround amounts to little more than a very gradual curve, rather than a 3-point, 90 degree turn.

[Winston Legthigh]

I don't understand this.

Me neither.

 

401(k)s are tied to the market, so that certainly affects more than just the 10% wealthiest.

 

As for employment rates - those always lag behind economic turns.

 

There's a lot of indication that the recession probably ended in July or August. New house sales are up, previously-built house sales are up - those are both good foundations of a turn-around. Now time will tell if that's just the dead-cat bounce or not. Other indicators, such as unemployment rates, will take longer to turnaround - we'll probably see it in 2Q/3Q 2010.

[Good Old Neon]

My 401k has rebounded to “pre-recession” numbers, so in a sense, it has remained largely stagnant for the past year or two. Further, as a direct result of the recession, we had to take a loan out against it, and I’ve had to reduce my contribution to 1%. What I find frustrating is the shallowness with which most news outlets report upon the overall health of the economy. They often overemphasize slight, temporary up-ticks, while ignoring or downplaying negative indicators – and given that they failed to take notice or heed the warnings of the admittedly few economists that were insightful enough to see this coming, I don’t put much stock in their attempts to paint a rosy portrait.

[Guest Jules]

I still don't get how the "top 10%" have somehow reaped the benefits of the market uptick more than anyone else.

[plasticeyeball]

I think he was saying the stock market is owned by only the top 10% of the country, but i think he meant that you probably own 10 % of the stock market. which we all know is true. or something.

[Winston Legthigh]

I don’t put much stock in their attempts to paint a rosy portrait.

I'm not sure what rosy portraits you're referring to. I certainly haven't seen any - from either analyst reports or news outlets.

Most have reported that the turnaround will be a slow gradual process. Anyone expecting more than that is misinformed.

[Good Old Neon]

I'm not sure what rosy portraits you're referring to. I certainly haven't seen any - from either analyst reports or news outlets.

Most have reported that the turnaround will be a slow gradual process. Anyone expecting more than that is misinformed.

 

Perhaps it’s just my perception, but every time the market is up for the day, many news outlets, including CNN, appear to fall over themselves in a rush to ask, “Is the recession over?” And then they go on to report a story about how some guy, let’s call him Larry, just sold his house, and so did his friend, let’s call him Steve, and how, “is this a sign that the housing market is making a recovery?” with all the depth and skepticism of a local interest story about a boy, his pet turtle, and the unique, almost esp-like bond they share.

 

I’m exaggerating of course, which, I am want to do.

[Guest Speed Racer]

Perhaps it’s just my perception,

 

All the outlets I read (LA Times, NY Times, Washington Post and Star Tribune) all say that the market is recovering and the housing market is doing better, but most industries are recovering precisely because they are not hiring. The layoffs are slowing and the businesses are recovering, but they are wary of the stability and longevity of the recovery and are therefore not hiring.

 

Not a single outlet I encounter is fawning over any sort of perceived miracle recovery. (Of course, I don't own a television, which takes away about 70% of hyperbolic new coverage right there.)

[Good Old Neon]

All the outlets I read (LA Times, NY Times, Washington Post and Star Tribune) all say that the market is recovering and the housing market is doing better, but most industries are recovering precisely because they are not hiring. The layoffs are slowing and the businesses are recovering, but they are wary of the stability and longevity of the recovery and are therefore not hiring.

 

Not a single outlet I encounter is fawning over any sort of perceived miracle recovery. (Of course, I don't own a television, which takes away about 70% of hyperbolic new coverage right there.)

 

All this studied reasonableness is not winning you any favors, and it’s not making your ass look any smaller either.

 

Edit: But seriously, I’m not referring to coverage of a miracle recovery, for that, you’d probably have to wait up until three o’clock in the morning, and the miracle cure would come by way of Kevin Trudeau and his patented Recession Busting Colon Cream®. I was referring to the reports that bend over backwards to suck dry the marrow from even the most modest signs of recovery. Given that most news outlets are owned by even larger corporations, corporations whose main interest is selling you stuff, I get the sense that their reports are often designed to persuade you to get out there and just buy some shit already, cause everyone else is doing it.

 

Which, I admit, might just be my own little crackpot conspiracy theory.

[W(TF)]

I still don't get how the "top 10%" have somehow reaped the benefits of the market uptick more than anyone else.

 

Paper profits don't equal jobs, look at your unemployment stats in the US. The financial system is also geared to the uber wealthy. For example, when most 'hot' companies go public I believe you need minimum $100,000 balance with your broker's account to buy into the IPO - so the wealthy are more enabled to speculate, trade freely and manipulate the outcomes where the most money is made. Similar in real estate, banking, etc. Not to mention all the fucking corruption at nearly every level in the chain. I know it's a free market economy and all that, it just doesn't work that well for the vast majority of people. Capitalism needs some controls like any other system.

[futureage1]

What is going on with the markets is Keynesian theory in practice. High unemployment is a way to control inflation. So what Summers and Geithner won't tell you is they like the high unemployment numbers. Obama doesn't want to create jobs now. What is different this time is we have put 200% more money supply into circulation in a year, via the bank bailouts. If the banks actually started lending then there would be hyperinflation overnight. So basically the taxpayer funded the misadventure and will have to pay for not only in taxes but also most likely their livelihood in the near future. The misperception the media puts forth is the depression was worse it's first year. That is not correct, things really fell apart about three years later. They will continue to squeeze small business loans and the middle class out of jobs and the big banks will buy up the small banks.

 

It is about creating monopoly. It's going to keep feeding on itself because the middle class is broke and won't be able to keep buying junk from China like they did. How in a consumer economy with consumer spending power shrinking is there ever going to be a recovery? Your buying power and access to cheap credit opportunities are vanishing not multiplying. When the credit cards are maxed out then Americans will realize what it means to see no real wage growth for 30 years as their standard of living is destroyed. It's amazing people keep listening to the very media sources who told them any of this was a good thing. You've been had and I know a lot of people out there are not going to recover. But when American Idol is more important than real life to most people, then this is what you get.

 

And I've heard all the mainstream propaganda about how it will turn around with green jobs. That will not even begin to recover what we have lost, so their arguments are laughable and delusional at best. It would be great if people would stop letting the media play people off against each other as their Wall St. sponsors drain the treasury. They are all guilty of it. Who gives a fuck about Joe Wilson how about going after the criminals on Wall St.? But let's all laugh it off and say it was all a giant accident since I guess watching tv is more important now in this country than having a future. Our biggest export is war and mayhem and our biggest industry is a stock market which has degenerated into a giant ponzi scheme. These are a lagging indicators alright of the third world status will be in a decade.