Patriot Act Push Angers Some on Right

[dogday]

WASHINGTON — A closed-door vote by the Senate Intelligence Committee last week to expand law enforcement powers under the USA Patriot Act is prompting sharp criticism from some conservative leaders who are otherwise among the most vocal allies of President Bush and the Republican leadership in Congress.

The conservative leaders — who have formed a coalition with critics on the left, including the American Civil Liberties Union — vowed to press their concerns in coming days with public statements, rallies and radio advertisements in key congressional districts.

The conservatives, including former U.S. Rep. Bob Barr (R-Ga.) and political activists who have been long-standing critics of the anti-terrorism law, lashed out with particular force last week against the White House, members of Congress and Atty. Gen. Alberto R. Gonzales. They said they had expected a more open review of the Patriot Act in which lawmakers considered some limits in order to safeguard civil liberties.

The conservatives complained that the Senate panel had moved in secret to expand the act. They are particularly upset about proposed "administrative subpoenas" that would let the FBI obtain a person's medical, financial and other records in terrorism cases without seeking a judge's approval.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-patriot12jun12,0,5753799,full.story?coll=la-home-nation

[Double T]

1. Hell Folks!!!! Democracy Is Under Attack In Our Very Own Country........

and we damn well better do something about it!!!!! If we have to buddy up to a conservative on this ONE issue to get the job done, then so be it!!!

[Tux]

2. I agree

We need allies. Let's see if we can get AboveTopSecret.com to join DU in emailing Congress to get this Act knocked down. The faster the better.

[dogday]

3. Anger should be coming from both sides on this issue!

Our rights are stripped with this act and yet this topic always gets lost in the shuffle. I have posted many times about these secret sessions going on while the Filibuster was in the foreground. No one is paying attention and that is what they want...