FBI asks US Congress for power to seize documents

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The FBI on Tuesday asked the U.S. Congress for sweeping new powers to seize business or private records, ranging from medical information to book purchases, to investigate terrorism without first securing approval from a judge.

Valerie Caproni, FBI general counsel, told the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee her agency needed the power to issue what are known as administrative subpoenas to get information quickly about terrorist plots and the activities of foreign agents.

Civil liberties groups have complained the subpoenas, which would cover medical, tax, gun-purchase, book purchase, travel and other records and could be kept secret, would give the FBI too much power and could infringe on privacy and free speech.

"This type of subpoena authority would allow investigators to obtain relevant information quickly in terrorism investigations, where time is often of the essence," Caproni testified.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/24/AR2005052400746_pf.html

The right of the people to be insecure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and warrants need not be issued upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, or particularly describing the place to be searched, or the persons or things to be seized.

people up to car batteries if we don't like what we hear.

"Committee chairman, Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts, noted that other government agencies already had subpoena power to investigate matters such as child pornography, drug investigations and medical malpractice. "

will sign blank papers for searches.

I have a friend in Oregon who lived near (several miles) from where perhaps pot was being grown. Several agencies swooped down and pulled everyone out of their beds, took all computers and papers based on the testimony of a con man who was talking his way out of several years in jail.

To this day none of the innocent people have had their computers (and computer games) returned. No drugs were found. Except for some that was being grown from DEA supplied spores, on a DEA permit, for a university. But this was at a neighboring farm. These farms were growing herbs for the huge US herb market -- all legitimate herbs.

So now the FBI cop shops want to remove even the appearance of having oversight into their raids and abuses of power.

And that bitch Rice is lecturing the world about democracy -- as she says "yes, massa" to her boss.

The terrorists have won -- and bush is the chief terrorist in the world.

administration in prison, the world wide terrorism levels would plummet to pre-bu$h one levels?

The requirements for searches and seizures are spelled out quite clearly by the fourth amendment.

Congress has no power to pass legislation that violates a clause or amendment to the constitution.

Why is this even being discussed?