Thursday, March 26, 2009
Patriot Act
There are numerous reports about abuse of the Patriot Act during the presidency of G.W. Bush. The act was passed by cowed members of Congress who dared not question the Bush administration's demand for prompt action and wide powers. Bush and his cohorts got what they wanted and lost no time in taking advantage of it to pursue their neo-conservative agenda.
Now the director of the FBI is asking for renewal of the act which is due to expire in December this year.
Washington Post, March 26, 2009
- FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III urged lawmakers yesterday to renew intelligence-gathering measures in the USA Patriot Act that are set to expire in December, calling them "exceptional" tools to help protect national security.
- The law, passed shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, created divisions between proponents, who said it was necessary to deter terrorism, and privacy advocates warning that it tramples on Americans' civil liberties. Portions of the law are up for reauthorization this year.
We have a new president, and the Congress is no longer subservient to the executive branch. Before acceding to Director Mueller, the various questionable features of the act must be scrutinized and all avenues for abuses stopped. The last eight years have proven that the executive branch cannot be trusted. Enough damage has been done by Bush and Cheney under the guise of national security.
"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? (Who will watch the watchers?)"
-- Juvenal
Decimus Junius Juvenalis, Roman rhetorician and satirical poet (1st to 2nd cent. A.D.)
