By Bob Barr
BobBarr.org
Atlanta, GA, Thursday, September 17, 2009 – Former Congressman Bob Barr (GA) today praised Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) for introducing legislation in the Senate that would reform the USA PATRIOT Act and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), both of which, while containing important and appropriate tools the government can employ to investigate and prosecute terrorist acts, improperly infringe the civil liberties of American citizens. The legislation is “The Judiciously Using Surveillance Tools in Counterterrorism Efforts Act” (the “JUSTICE Act”).
Barr said, “The legislation Sen. Feingold introduced today will correct several provisions in both the Patriot Act as it was hurriedly passed in 2001, and in FISA as it was amended in 2008.” He noted also that, “the changes to these laws that Sen. Feingold’s bill makes will go a long way toward restoring the constitutional rights guaranteed us in the Bill of Rights, but without denying the government the appropriate tools it needs to investigate and prosecute acts of terrorism.”
Barr also noted that while all provisions in the Feingold bill are important, “most important are those provisions that require the government to show a connection between the person the government wants to surveil or collect information on, and terrorism, terrorist entities or espionage.” “If this legislation passes and is signed into law by President Obama,” Barr said, “no longer would the government be able – as it now can – to surreptitiously eavesdrop on any overseas communication it wishes, including those of American citizens innocently communicating with someone in another country; and no longer could the government access a citizen’s most personal records without at least some reasonable suspicion the person has a connection to terrorism or espionage.”
Barr served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003 and was a member of the Judiciary Committee. He also served from 1986 to 1990 as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, and from 1971 to 1978 with the CIA. He currently practices law in Atlanta, Georgia.
Anyone who votes against the JUSTICE Act is, in effect, voting in favor of the USA TRAITOR Act (or, in reality, US, A TRAITOR Act).
Makes you wonder why Republicans are basically doing everything to Obama short of giving him a Jasper County, Texas, truck ride, doesn’t it? Especially since he’s stood behind a great deal of Bush, Cheney, and the GOP’s treasonous acts.
Maybe that explains it – Obama is a better Republican than most in the GOP are, and they’re scared silly…
…except, given the fact Obama and Bush are so close in reality, it’s Feingold and Barr who should watch out for an unexpected to them (but not, unfortunately, to me) Zyklon-H (for Halliburton) shower – paid for by the taxpayers at a 60,000 percent markup 🙁
jinx, you hit it first Danny
still beats anything any other senator sed . . . and back in 2001 Feingold’s was the lone vote against the bill
George, I’m pretty sure Feingold would abolish it if he could. But with Obama coming out in support of retaining some provisions, Feingold probably recognizes that in the real world of politics that won’t happen.
Feingold was the only senator to vote against the Patriot Act when it first came up if I remember right.
lg, phone on?
ditto what Phillies said.
Good job Russ.
I would tend to answer my own question with a no. I just thought to ask because these clever acronymics always give me a creepy dystopian feeling.
Could it be that a small step in the right direction would be w0rst than none?
I think a libertarian would cheer any movement of public policy in a direction that increases liberty. The difference between a libertarian and others in this case would be that a libertarian would keep working on the issue.
The only modification that a libertarian will cheer for the Patriot act is immediate and complete repeal.
I have waited forever and beat my keyboard to death writinf to various Congresspeople about the Patriot Act and by-passing the FISA court. Good for Feingold!
I have wited forever and beat my keyboard to death writinf to various Congresspeople about the Patriot Act and by-passing the FISA court. Good for Feingold!