Congress Urged to Amend Section 215 (Patriot Act)

[underpants]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/books_patriot_act

SEATTLE - Booksellers, librarians and writers want Congress to amend a section of the USA Patriot Act to protect people's privacy when it comes to books they buy or check out from the library.

To our knowledge, there is not a single association, organization or company in our entire industry that supports Section 215 as it exists today," said Phillip Bevis, founder of Arundel Books, which has stores in Seattle and Los Angeles and sells books online.

Section 215 does not specifically mention bookstores or libraries, but permits secret warrants for "books, records, papers, documents and other items" from businesses, hospitals or other organizations.

In September, U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft (news - web sites) said Section 215 had not been used. He had previously denounced concerns about the provision as "baseless hysteria."

[ixion]

1. hmmm... how about repealing the whole thing

since it's one of the most unconstitutional pieces of trash ever written.

[underpants]

2. "When the threat evolves, we have to evolve with the threat,"

TWO mentions of THREAT!!!!!!!!! and apparently there are some merits to this evolution thing.


Mark Corallo, spokesman for the U.S. Department of Justice (news - web sites) in Washington, D.C., dismissed those concerns: "I think there's a lot of misinformation out there."


What Section 215 allows, he said, differs little from powers already granted for grand jury investigations — except it focuses on foreign spying and terrorism.


"When the threat evolves, we have to evolve with the threat," he said. "Section 215 is thoroughly respectful of the Constitution."

[ixion]

3. yeah... I've heard repugs claim that it respects the contitution

which consititution they're talking about, I'm not sure, but it's certainly not the one this country was founded on. :eyes:

[rawtribe]

4. Bill of Rights

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,
or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to
petition the government for a redress of grievances.


Amendment II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state,
the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.


Amendment III

No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the
consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed
by law.


Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and
effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated,
and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or
affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the
persons or things to be seized.


Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous
crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in
cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual
service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for
the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be
compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be
deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor
shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.


Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy
and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the
crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously
ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the
accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have
compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the
assistance of counsel for his defense.


Amendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty
dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by
a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States,
than according to the rules of the common law.


Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel
and unusual punishments inflicted.


Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be
construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.


Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor
prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or
to the people.