Sunday, January 18, 2009

Under Obama, feds may still snoop library files

Under Obama, feds may still snoop library files from SF Chronicle

President-elect Barack Obama's nominee for attorney general has endorsed an extension of the law that allows federal agents to demand Americans' library and bookstore records as part of terrorism probes, dismaying a national group of independent booksellers.

Eric Holder said at his confirmation hearing Thursday before the Senate Judiciary Committee that he supports renewing a section of the USA Patriot Act that allows FBI agents investigating international terrorism or espionage to seek records from businesses, libraries and bookstores. If not renewed by Congress, the provision will expire at the end of 2009.

The searches must be authorized by a court that meets secretly and has approved the government's requests in nearly all cases, according to congressional reports. The target of the search does not have to be suspected of terrorism or any other crime. A permanent gag order that accompanies each search prohibits the business or library from telling anyone about it.


Wow, that's a big change from the last bunch. I really like the Democrats supporting the bit about ...

The target of the search does not have to be suspected of terrorism or any other crime.


Of course, if anyone is really surprised about this, remember that the Democrats voted almost unanimously for the Patriot Act that put this into law in the first place. The Democrats always talk like they oppose this stuff, but they always, repeat ALWAYS, support it when it really comes up for a decision.

2 comments:

KDelphi said...

That is what I read. Everyone keeps saying that I am lying! I dont know why, when they know he went "all out" for teh FISA Amendments!

Samson said...

There is a huge gap between the reality of Obama and what most Democrats have in their heads.

The Obama campaign was masterful at getting people to make up in their own heads a fantasy picture of the candidate. And he went to great pains to say very little that was of substance that might break such delusions.

Today, most Obama voters still have the fantasy candidate in their heads. They have no idea who they really just elected.

This is very dangerous for the health of a democracy. How can voters make decisions on the course of the nation when the candidates lie to them and won't tell them what they'll really do when elected?