Should I continue to email my friend in London, and if I do, will I be on some kind of watch list? We grew up and graduated high school together and have always stayed in touch. He moved to London about 10 years ago because of a job transfer and he loves it. We have kept in touch through email, can we still do that? Of course the recently passed bill will not change that, but will I now be harrassed?
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Associated Press
House Approves Foreign Wiretap Bill
By CHARLES BABINGTON 08.04.07, 10:27 PM ET
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/08/04/ap3988006.htmlWASHINGTON - The House handed President Bush a victory Saturday, voting to expand the government's abilities to eavesdrop without warrants on foreign suspects whose communications pass through the United States.
The 227-183 vote, which followed the Senate's approval Friday, sends the bill to Bush for his signature. He had urged Congress to approve it, saying Saturday, "Protecting America is our most solemn obligation."
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Many congressional Democrats wanted tighter restrictions on government surveillance, but yielded in the face of Bush's veto threats and the impending August recess.
"This bill would grant the attorney general the ability to wiretap anybody, any place, any time without court review, without any checks and balances," said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., during the debate preceding the vote. "I think this unwarranted, unprecedented measure would simply eviscerate the 4th Amendment," which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures.