*Oppose the Patriot Act Provisions Reauthorization * <http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=K_k6t&m=1cfyAPoFcJzfN1&b=Z20n7O6LJZ2gzdF._oxq.w>
*T*here are certain provisions of the Patriot Act handed to the American people in the wake of 9/11 that are set to expire at the end of 2009. The Senate is set to disentangle itself from the healthcare debate long enough to address the issues in response to the Obama administration's desire to reauthorize the Patriot Act<http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=K_k6t&m=1cfyAPoFcJzfN1&b=hWQtgeIH8wBBG4MNETCnFg>. Then the Senate bill would have to be reconciled with one of two bills already introduced in the House. In 2005, then-Senator Obama pledged to filibuster a Bush-sponsored bill that included several of these exact components, calling it "just plain wrong" in a Senate speech. "Government has decided to go on a fishing expedition through every personal record or private document -- through library books they've read and phone calls they've made," he declared, adding: "We don't have to settle for a Patriot Act that sacrifices our liberties or our safety -- we can have one that secures both." ABC News reports that "Four years ago, then Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., who taught constitutional law, voted down the same provisions along with all Senate Democrats who insisted on changes to the bill that better protected libraries, limited clandestine search warrants, roving wiretaps, and FBI gag orders." "This was the most opportune time for the surveillance authorities to reverse course," Richardson told Raw Story. "If these programs continue, more abuses of power are absolutely inevitable -- there's no way around it. The level of secrecy granted by Congress is very troubling." -- $6.4 Billion Stimulus Goes to Phantom Districts http://watchdog.org/2009/11/17/6-4-billion-stimulus-goes-to-phantom-districts/ So, where is that money now? -- Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups. For options & help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more.
