PATRIOT Act movement in the Senate

[Savannah Progressive]

For those who didn't notice, a measure of the PATRIOT Act was amended to allow people to consult with an attorney if they are served with a warrant or subpoena. No kidding. When I heard about that prohibition, I actually laughed my ass off.

This takes you to the senate site and the roll call vote in regards to cloture on the measure. In other words, they are ready to vote on the measure and pass or fail it on it's merits.

http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00022

Now, the reason I laughed my ass off. For those who haven't read it lately, the Constitution kinda covers this just fine. I quote Amendment VI (1791)

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.

Now, I haven't had the pleasure of being served a subpoena or warrant under the often discussed PATRIOT Act, however I wasn't worried about it. You see, if I violated the law, and contacted my lawyer in regards to one of these secret warrants, I wasn't at all concerned that I would be picked up or detained about it. You see, if I was arrested for contacting my lawyer, then under the Constitution, and the Miranda Decision, I would have to be given a free phone call to contact a Lawyer. Then the Government would have to put me before a judge, with a lawyer representing me, for availing myself of my 6th Amendment rights, of contacting a lawyer.

In other words, while arresting me for contacting an attorney, they would advise me of my rights to contact an attorney, and have the attorney present during questioning in regards to my criminal activity of contacting an attorney. Did anyone else but me find this a little silly?

Corrected a stupid typo, correct spelling, wrong word

[msongs]

1. bowel movement in the house hehe nt