Of Course the Government Abused Its Power

Another name for Big Government Conservativism is Fascism and we're rapidly sliding down that slope. Fortunately, American-style fascism hasn't made "the trains run on time" (witness Katrina, Walter Reed, Iraq), so America likely will survive and recover from the latest assault on the Bill of Rights.

I'm shocked, shocked the FBI is abusing the powers granted to in the abomination known by the Orwellian name "The Patriot Act." Most of the extreme provisions in this bill should have been allowed to sunset per the originial law. However Congress, and especially the spineless Democrats raised few objections to expanding to renewing these provisions and only eliminate some of them.

And now the government is attempting to resurrect the Total Information Awareness system. Of course this time they're getting the private sector to do it for them so they contract for the services instead. [Note: to bring in another of my favorite themes,the original seal for the TIA office prompted many concerns from conspiracy groups about the Masons, Illuminati etc. taking over]. FOr real problems TIA could cause, see here.

Begin Self-Involved Explication

Many of the provisions in the Patriot Act simply gave the FBI the same powers to pursue suspected terrorists that the DEA already possessed for going after potential drug traffickers. On that front these provisions could be considered relatively harmless. One the other hand the War on (Some) Drugs could easily be ended by legalizing most drug consumption, regulating it and putting it in the hands of corporations. This would also result in the defunding of many of the terrorism organizations. I had a really interesting conversation about this at CPAC with a law enforcement officer advocating legalizing drugs for these reasons. For what it's worth, he told me he had a much better reception this year than last.

End Self-Involved Explication.

At least we get to keep SOME civil liberties

CNN.com - House approves Patriot Act renewal - Mar 7, 2006

Ok, it's not as bad as it could be. And, some of its original provisions WERE necessary. Hopefully, as the War on Terror winds down, we can keep watering down this monstrosity and gradually win back our inalienable rights.

U.S. Fascism on the March

Congress Arrives at A Deal on Patriot Act

The deal basically extends most Patriot Act provisions for 7 years. Maybe these provisions arguably were needed in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. However, when the act passed, the public was assured that these extraordinary powers would would sunset after a few years. Unfortunately, Congress and the Bush Administration follow the basic bureaucratic desire to constantly aggrandize power and fight any diminution of power or authority.

American Fascism is on the march . . .