Category «Civil Liberties»

Commentary on the Expansion Federal Law Enforcement Power Under Umbrella of Enhancing Security

The Security Pretext: An Examination of the Growth of Federal Police Agencies, CATO Briefing Paper, by Melanie Scarborough. Full Text of Briefing Papers no. 94, 16 pages, (PDF) See also: Cities opening more video surveillance eyes, by Martha T. Moore, USA TODAY The Naked Crowd: Reclaiming Security and Freedom in an Anxious Age, by Jeffrey …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, E-Government, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Legislation

Portions of Patriot Act on Intelligence Law Made Permanent by House Committee Vote Today

H.R. 3199, To extend and modify authorities needed to combat terrorism, and for other purposes. Introduced July 11, 2005 U.S. Newswire – “The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation (H.R. 3199) reauthorizing the USA-PATRIOT Act by a 23-to-14 vote with 2 Members voting present. The Committee adopted some of the dozens of amendments it considered …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Libraries, Patriot Act, Privacy

NY Times Editorial Today on Patriot Act

“Unnecessary Powers: The Patriot Act already gives government too much power to spy on ordinary Americans, but things could get far worse. Congress is considering adding a broad new investigative power, known as the administrative subpoena, that would allow the Federal Bureau of Investigation to gain access to anyone’s financial, medical, employment and even library …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Legislation, Libraries, Patriot Act, Privacy

Hearing on FEC Regulation of Internet and Blogs

Prepared Remarks to the FEC June 28, 2005, by kos:“…It isn’t my position that the government should never regulate any Internet communications. It is my position that the Internet is so different than television, radio, and print media, that the current campaign finance regime doesn’t fit and different techniques must be employed..” Bloggers Go Mainstream …

Subjects: Blogs, Civil Liberties, E-Government

Despite Congressional Mandate, Air Passenger Data Collection Continued

AP reports that the TSA continued to purchase and aggregate air passenger data despite specific direction from Congress not to do so. See also: March 28, 2005 GAO report, Secure Flight Development and Testing Underway, But Risks Should be Managed as System is Futher Developed Transportation Security Administration Notices: Privacy Act, System of Records, 05-12405 …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Government Documents, Privacy

Bill Would Establish Independent Commission to Investigate Detainee Abuses

Press release: Tuesday, June 21, 2005 – “Rep. Waxman, Democratic Leader Pelosi, and other senior Democrats announced they will introduce legislation to establish an independent Comission to investigate abuses of detainees in connection with Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, or any operation within the Global War on Terrorism.” Bill Summary The Bill, To establish …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Legislation

New Study Documents Law Enforcement Inquiries on Library Patron Data

From today’s New York Times, Libraries Say Yes, Officials Do Quiz Them About Users reports on a study, not yet released by the American Library Association (ALA), that documents law enforcement inquiries for information on library patrons’ reading materials. The article indicates that there have been “at least 200 formal and informal inquiries to libraries… …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Patriot Act, Privacy

New Bill to Permanently Authorize Patriot Act Provisions

S.1266, Title: An original bill to permanently authorize certain provisions of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act of 2001, to reauthorize a provision of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, to clarify certain definitions in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Government Documents, Legislation, Patriot Act

Bipartisan Compromise on Patriot Act

“Today, a bipartisan working group of former senior government officials with expertise in homeland security, intelligence, law enforcement, and civil liberties delivered a set of recommendations for reauthorization of the Patriot Act to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The bipartisan group, co-convened by John Podesta, President of the Center for American Progress, and Richard Falkenrath, former …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Legislation, Patriot Act

Sanders Passes Critical Legislation to Amend Patriot Act and Protect Americans’ Reading Records

Press release this evening from Rep. Bernie Sanders: “Congressman Sanders today led a tri-partisan coalition in restoring Americans’ constitutionally guaranteed right to read and access information without governmental intrusion or monitoring. With 199 Democrats, 38 Republicans and one Independent (Sanders) voting in support, the House passed Congressman Sanders legislation to amend Section 215 of the …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Legislation, Libraries, Privacy