Hello? Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me
Is there anyone at home?
[...]
Relax I'll need some information first
Just the basic facts
Can you show me where it hurts?
There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
[...]
Profile:
USA Patriot Act --
historycommons.org
September 19, 2001: First Draft of Patriot Act is Introduced
The first draft of what will later be called the Patriot Act is introduced to Congress. [US Congress, 9/19/2001] However, due to Congressional opposition of its broad powers, the act is revised and reintroduced on October 2
October 2-4, 2001: Senators Daschle and Leahy Raise Concerns about Newly Introduced Patriot Act
The “anti-terrorism” Patriot Act is introduced in Congress on October 2, 2001 (see October 2, 2001), but it is not well received by all. [US Congress, 10/2/2001] One day later, Senate Majority Leader and future anthrax target Tom Daschle (D-SD) says he doubts the Senate will take up this bill in the one week timetable the administration wants. As head of the Senate, Daschle has great power to block or slow passage of the bill. Attorney General John Ashcroft accuses Senate Democrats of dragging their feet. [Washington Post, 10/3/2001] On October 4, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman and future anthrax target Patrick Leahy (D-VT) accuses the Bush administration of reneging on an agreement on the bill. Leahy is in a key position to block or slow the bill. Some warn that “lawmakers are overlooking constitutional flaws in their rush to meet the administration’s timetable.” Two days later, Ashcroft complains about “the rather slow pace…over his request for law enforcement powers… Hard feelings remain.” [Washington Post, 10/4/2001] The anthrax letters to Daschle and Leahy are sent out between October 6-9 as difficulties in passing the Patriot Act continue (see October 6-9, 2001). [...]
2001 Anthrax Attacks --
historycommons.org
FBI Investigation
[...]
July 29, 2008: Government Ready to Present Evidence Against Anthrax Attacks Suspect Ivins, but Not Charge Him
On July 29, 2008, anthrax attacks suspect Bruce Ivins and his attorney Paul Kemp are scheduled to have a meeting with FBI investigators. However, Ivins overdosed on pills two days earlier and dies two hours before the meeting is to take place (see July 29, 2008). In initial press reports, it is claimed that investigators had scheduled the meeting to discuss a plea bargain that would send Ivins to prison for life, but spare him a death sentence. [Washington Post, 8/2/2008] But these reports appear to be incorrect. [...]
July 29, 2008: FBI Still Building Case Against Anthrax Attacks Suspect Ivins When He Dies
On July 29, 2008, when anthrax attacks suspect Bruce Ivins commits suicide (see July 29, 2008), the FBI still has not completed its case against him. Several days later, the New York Times reports that a grand jury in Washington had been planning to hear several more weeks of testimony before deciding to issue an indictment or not.
[...]
August 3-18, 2008: Experts Disagree If Anthrax Attacks Suspect Ivins Had Skills to Make Anthrax Used in Attacks
Experts disagree if recently deceased anthrax attacks suspect Bruce Ivins had the skills needed to make the anthrax used in the attacks. [...]
And another one bites the dust ... the dustbin of
unrecorded History ...
No worries though, those congressional attacks had their intended effect ...
Profile: USA Patriot Act -- historycommons.org
October 26, 2001: USA Patriot Act Becomes Law
President Bush signs the Patriot Act into law. [Source: White House]President Bush signs the USA Patriot Act (see October 2, 2001) into law. The act’s provisions include:
bullet 1) Non-citizens can be detained and deported if they provide “assistance” for lawful activities of any group the government chooses to call a terrorist organization. Under this provision the secretary of state can designate any group that has ever engaged in violent activity as a terrorist organization. Representative Patsy Mink (D-HI) notes that in theory supporters of Greenpeace could now be convicted for supporting terrorism. [San Francisco Chronicle, 11/12/2001]
bullet 2) Immigrants can be detained indefinitely, even if they are found not to have any links to terrorism. They can be detained indefinitely for immigration violations or if the attorney general decides their activities pose a danger to national security. They need never be given a trial or even a hearing on their status. [San Francisco Chronicle, 9/8/2002]
bullet 3) Internet service providers can be ordered to reveal the websites and e-mail addresses that a suspect has communicated to or visited. The FBI need only inform a judge that the information is relevant to an investigation. [Village Voice, 11/26/2001; San Francisco Chronicle, 9/8/2002]
bullet 4) The act “lays the foundation for a domestic intelligence-gathering system of unprecedented scale and technological prowess.” [Washington Post, 11/4/2001] It allows the government to access confidential credit reports, school records, and other records, without consent or notification. [San Francisco Chronicle, 9/8/2002] All of this information can now be given to the CIA, in violation of the CIA’s mandate prohibiting it from spying within the US. [Village Voice, 11/26/2001]
bullet 5) Financial institutions are encouraged to disclose [...]
bullet 6) Federal agents can easily obtain warrants to review a library patron’s reading and computer habits. [...]
bullet 7) The government can refuse to reveal how evidence is collected against a suspected terrorist defendant. [...]
Patriot Act unconstitutional
by Michael Webster, LA National Security Examiner, LA Examiner -- April 20, 2009
[...]
Foreign and domestic intelligence agencies can more easily spy on Americans. Powers under the existing Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) have been broadened to allow for increased surveillance opportunities. FISA standards are lower than the constitutional standard applied by the courts in regular investigations. PATRIOT partially repeals legislation enacted in the 1970s that prohibited pervasive surveillance of Americans.
PATRIOT eliminates Government accountability. While PATRIOT freely eliminates privacy rights for individual Americans, it creates more secrecy for Government activities, making it extremely difficult to know about actions the Government are taking.
PATRIOT authorizes the use of "sneak and peek" search warrants in connection with any federal crime, including misdemeanors. A "sneak and peek" warrant authorizes law enforcement officers to enter private premises without the occupant's permission or knowledge and without informing the occupant that such a search was conducted.
The Department of Justice, with little input from Congress and the American people, is developing follow-on legislation -- the Domestic Security Enhancement Act (nicknamed Patriot II) -- which would greatly expand Patriot’s already sweeping powers.
[...]
Which Senators and Reps are on Record Opposing both FISA Reauthorization and Patriot Act Extension?
by Liberty Equality Fraternity and Trees -- Jun 07, 2013
I decided to cross-check two votes: the PATRIOT Sunsets Extension Act of 2011 and the FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2012.
The former passed the Senate 72 to 23. The latter passed the Senate 73 to 23. The opponents were largely the same. Dean Heller (R-NV) opposed the Patriot extension but supported FISA reauthorization. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) was not there for the Patriot extension vote but was a "no" vote on FISA. The late Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) was a "no" on Patriot extension but was not able to attend for the FISA vote. Daniel Akaka (D-HI) voted for the Patriot extension, but Brian Schatz (D-HI), who replaced him, voted against FISA reauthorization.
The PATRIOT Sunsets Extension Act of 2011 passed the House 250 to 153. The FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act passed the House 301 to 118.
[...]
Pink Floyd --
Comfortably numb
link to clip
Hello? Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me
Is there anyone at home?
Come on, now I hear you're feeling down
Well I can ease your pain
Get you on your feet again
Relax I'll need some information first
Just the basic facts
Can you show me where it hurts?
There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are the only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying
When I was a child I had a fever
My hands felt just like two balloons
Now I've got that feeling once again
I can't explain you would not understand
This is not how I am
I have become comfortably numb
I have become comfortably numb
Okay Just a little pinprick
There'll be no more
But you may feel a little sick
Can you stand up?
I do believe it's working good
That'll keep you going through the show
Come on it's time to go
There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are the only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying
When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse
Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown the dream is gone
I have become comfortably numb