Obama Justice Department Supports Renewal of Patriot Act Provisions

Justice Department Supports Renewal of Patriot Act Provisions

By Joe Palazzolo | September 15, 2009

In a Sept. 14 letter to lawmakers, Assistant Attorney General Ron Weich said the Justice Department supports the use of roving wiretaps, the authority to access business records and the ability to track so-called “lone-wolf” terrorists, or those without visible ties to a foreign terrorist organization. The provisions sunset at the end of the year.

The Justice Department’s position was expected. During his confirmation hearings, Attorney General Eric Holder told members Congress he would review the provisions but said he would likely endorse their re-authorization.

“The tools that we have been given by Congress in FISA are important ones, so I would look at all three and make the determination of whether I would be able to support them,” Holder told member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “I expect that I will.”

Weich said the administration is willing to consider changes that would increase privacy protections, as long as they preserve the effectiveness of the tools. Still, his letter embittered civil libertarians who have long opposed the measures.

“We are very encouraged to learn that the Obama administration has stated a willingness to discuss reforming the deeply flawed provisions in the Patriot Act, though we are disappointed at its support for the reauthorization of the three expiring provisions,” Michael Macleod-Ball, acting director of the ACLU’s Washington Legislative Office, said in a statement.

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http://www.mainjustice.com/2009/09/15/justice-department-supports-renewal-of-patriot-act-provisions/

Police state tactics are ok, I guess, depending upon who approves it.

how are these policies any different than BushCo?

You'll hurt feelings and cause feelings of guilt.