This is yet another example of how the Bush administrations’ lack of concern for Americans’ civil rights. I can’t wait until 08’, when we can purge our government of the science censors and liberty stifling cronies that Bush and his team has saddled our democracy. The day he is sent packing to Texas will be one celebrated by Americans and the world alike.

It's not a big deal, the Patriot Act is a tool and 20% is not a lot to be concerned about.

"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.”
-Benjamin Franklin

Does anybody see a trend yet? Just consider: We have an FBI no longer even pretending to operate on the principle of probable cause; we have an emergent surveillance society in which the discredited and explicitly forbidden data mining program known as Total Information Awareness is not only back, but back with a vengeance; we're in a self-declared and permanent state of "war" in which the constitution and the bill of rights are treated as quaint remnants of bygone era; we have a Justice department led by a judicial anti-Christ who endorses torture, the suspension of habeas corpus, extraordinary rendition, and a truly frightening legal ideology of a "unitary executive," giving the president the powers of a monarch. And we have a president who is contemptuous of the very checks and balances necessary to a functioning democracy.

Put simply, the most intrusive, cynically partisan and self-interested government in our history is simultaneously the most secretive and corrupt, fertile ground for the rise of fascism.

I feel like my nation has been hijacked, and this time it’s an inside job. Where is the outrage? Good grief.

What did you expect???

Can you spell E-R-O-S-I-O-N of privacy rights? Tell your friends: the FBI is listening in -- so don't bring up Usama Bin Laden in your cellphone calls...don't google Al Quaeda...don't tell anyone you're voting Democratic next election...YOU'RE BEING WATCHED -- BE CAREFUL!!

It is obvious that you would prefer terrorist sleeper cells here in America to enable their suicide bombers to operate freely without such rapid FBI investigations. The Constitution is NOT a suicide pact!

thank you for breaking this story the day after Daily Kos reported it

This is typical of Bush and his cronies.

Their method of operation is to swear that they are following the required procedures but,in reality, they are doing everything they damn well please!

Impeach the whole crooked Bush team!

Vets mistreated

Libby guilty

Federal attorney purge

FBI scandal

This is a constant train wreck for the Bush administration these days, and this doesn't even touch upon the Iraq disaster.

How long does it take for the
american people to wake up.

Question for you and the rest of the
MSM (mainstreammedia). What difference does it make if even more
unethical,non-legal,criminal acts are
discovered? This is the most unscrupulous administration in the histry of my long life! They are made of teflon. The heroic investigations are made public (after a long while), reported on once or twice, then fade into nothingness with NO legal action or public fanfare. The one they got, is about to be pardoned by Bush's chosen media and some dumb,
outspoken members of the jury who suggest to all Libby SHOULD be
pardoned! What is the use?
Stop investigating-there is plenty
of reason to impeach. We all know
Bush & Cheney run the FBI & CIA.

This abuse by the FBI is just another case of the Government secrecy and abuse that is destroying our nation.

One is almost afraid to open the newspaper these days.

What will the next paper bring?

USA bombs Iran to prevent Israel from being destroyed

This is a question of Republican or Democrat, this is a question of cheating,lying, and a general pattern of misleading the people of our counrty. The Bush Adminstration is by far, the most crooked and unethical in the history of our Great Nation. I don't need to here of sleeper cell terrorists or in humain leaders in the Middle East. There are ways to address these issues. The way our President as gone about it is wrong, period. Republican, Democrat, Black, White, Male or Female, if you choose to do things the way they are done now, you are no better than GW Bush.

If there has been spying on other U.S. politicians, journalists and critics of the administration (such as Cindy Sheehan or Quaker peace groups) then there really should be criminal prosecution of those involved -- right up to the top. They clearly broke the law without any reasonable justification, and given the pattern of disregard for the law by this administration enforcement is required. Otherwise the law becomes a sham for personal gain of those in power. Both Democrats and Republicans should oppose the frequent lies and violations of law by the current administration.

Doesn't this dovetail nicely with all the companies, banks, airlines and gov't agencies who have "lost" discs or their systems have been "hacked" so that T.I.A. didn't have to be officially put in place. These neo-clowns and presidunce just do it all behind the scenes and dare us to do anything about it. They should all be mass impeached and then convicted, based just on what's been shown to be true on the news every night and in the Libby trial. Scooter...makes you think of a hyena doesn't it? Isn't Rummy still maintaining an office at the Pentagon? Watch the movie JFK again just to see how easily the coup can be done when you have gov't complicity. With all that we now know about the LIES we have been fed about everything else this administration does, why aren't we all DEMANDING a new DEMOCRATICALLY led investigation into 9/11 and to really "re-right" history...a true investigation of Florida 2000 and Ohio 2004. The tip-off should have been way back when we all were told that only the god-king's SUPPORTERS would be allowed at any event he went to. Where the hell does he get off?

Give back our liberties.... we are more apt to get struck by lighting then die from a terrorist attack.

Looks like George Orwell was right. He was just a few years off. Shoulda named his book 2007 instead of 1984.

Once Again...THANK YOU RUSS FEINGOLD FOR BEING THE ONLY SENATOR with the forsight TO VOTE AGAINST THE PATRIOT ACT...

HE(and We) Told YOU So...

You all amaze me. The "Bush is evil and runs the CIA", "The goverment is out to get ME" mantra is getting old. Is goverment perfect, no. That is why we have oversight. It works, maybe not as fast as you or I would like. But instead of crying about the system work within the system for change.

Oh and do you think that the news about the VA is new ? Its been pathetic through several adminstrations and everyone knows it. Maybe GW can be the first to clean it up.. Oh buts let not give credit if he does.

The Constitution is NOT a suicide pact!

Posted by: Lee Ellis

This is a false argument - you are suggesting that the *only* way to prevent this is to subvert the constitution. That is a bald faced lie. This administration could do just as others in the past have done, they choose not to. They claim this is in the name of protecting us - that is a lie. It is in the name of advancing a totalitarian society. Fearful authoritarians need the warm comfort of a daddy government to feel safe - perhaps this is you? It's a lie; no government can completely protect us.

We have lost more people in Iraq than the number killed on 9/11.

The Administration's response to 9/11(the rationale presented to the public at least): the Patriot Act (and by extension, Warrant-less wiretapping), Guantanamo etc, etc ad nauseum- have placed this country in more danger than if we we're to have done nothing. What if our troops had all died on one day- in a "mushroom cloud"? If the Administration really believed there were WMD, wouldn't that be a trully stupid military move? Would that have shaken the public and, more importantly those in government to react to Bush's stumbling into a beehive but then escaping over a cliff? Talk about gambling.
And what about the original forged Niger documents? I mean, there are a myriad forged Iraq-Uranium sales receipts out there so one can never be too carefull!
And no, I don't digress: No 9/11, no pretext for all of the above. Including the over-stepping of authority by law enforcement.

The PATRIOT Act is a rape and violation of the
Constitution, Bill of Rights, our unalienable rights, human rights and our sovereignty.

How much more proof do we need?

WHEN ARE THEY ALL GOING TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE???????!!!!!!!

Let's see... Clinton underwent impeachment proceedings for actions that, at worst, amounted to marital infidelity on the taxpayer's dime; Bush misleads the nation into a 4 yr. war costing 3,200 American lives and untold billions, selectively holds himself above the law by "signing statements" intended to subvert the intent of legislation he dislikes, turns the White House staff into a propaganda machine fond of leaking classified information when it furthers his political agenda and dismantles Constitutional protections by misuse of the FBI and side-stepping FISA for the pursuit of domestic intelligence gathering... and Congress IS NOT seriously considering impeachment? I guess these transgressions must fall somewhere between "high crimes" and "misdemeanors".

This is for Eugene Burrow, who wrote, "It's not a big deal, the Patriot Act is a tool and 20% is not a lot to be concerned about." Barry Scheck is the director of the Innocence Project. In their first year they looked at 100 death row cases and found that 7 inmates could be exonerated and not die. That's 7 %, a small number. So, according to your logic, the death penalty is a tool and 7% is not a lot to be concerned about.

For all those that want to blame this on Bush, please remember that the same agents that have done this will still be around when the next President is elected. If Hillary is elected, get ready then to hear that the Hillary is the most crooked administration.

While somewhat remarkable that this comes as any surprise to anyone, it remains a clear example of those who warned against the Patriot Act and the inevitable lapses that would follow seeing what the sheeple would not allow themselves to think possible.

It was not only possible, it was a virtual certainty.

The surprising thing is actually FINDING OUT about it.

I have predicted for some time now that, when the time comes to go, the Bush Administration will attempt to stay. THAT'S HOW SCARY THE BUSH SITUATION HAS BECOME FOR ME! We are on a slippery slope with these folks, America, and we need to be ever vigilant and aware of each and every bit of news we are able to receive about them.

THIS IS TO EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHY AMERICA WONT JUST "WAKE UP!"

Hey guys we're ALREADY AWAKE! Let's do something! Write opinion articles, create alternative institutions to fight these things. Voice your dissent to everyone you know! Go to a protest in the next few weeks! Start talking impeachment to everyone you know.

We desperately need to start redefining the meta-narrative of our national psyche. They've got us thinking no one cares but 2/3rds or so of this nation are against the Wars, and everything else mentioned here!

Let's get into the streets, the homes, the work place and say NO! NO MORE!

2007=1984

Think back on how many times you've heard from some poor uninformed republican this statement "Oh the president his policies and practices that 'stuff' its only politics as usual right." They're like Lemming's looking for a cliff refusing to see and hear for it would show that all their life in the party has been for naught after this band of Neo-Cons stole their parties Heart and soul all for an Ideology of Neo-Liberalism a policy that abandons the god and family they purport to support in favor of a consume and shop market driven life of ignorant bliss as if that were god's will. All this forces surrender and acquiescence at the foot of Corporate Fascism.

i knew all along any mall security cop could waltz into a bank and yell terror and the managers would wheel the records out to thier mini van....often including sexual favors...seems it took ya long enuff to catch on that its a police state.like you expected competent honest results form your fascist hijacked corporate govt?
you people will believe ANYTHING for oil wont ya.

Lee Ellis said "It is obvious that you would prefer terrorist sleeper cells here in America to enable their suicide bombers to operate freely without such rapid FBI investigations. The Constitution is NOT a suicide pact!"

It's real simple, if you don't like the US Constitution, GET OUT! It is our law of the land, if you don't want to follow it move on to another country.

This has nothing to do with sleeper cells of terrorists, this has do do with power a power grab by people who do not respect our law. (Neo-Cons) If you've paid attention lately you probably also read the story about how this administration was using it's NSA powers to spy on government officials and congress. Is congress now a sleeper cell? Granted they were asleep the last 6 years.

Remember GW Bush and Cheney need hundreds of yes men to accomplish all this secrecy, and to slander and ruin careers, and to mislead and control the press. Shame on all you yes men for being loyal to a party while tearing down our country. Christian/Republican? - oh please, God help us!

For all those that want to blame this on Bush, please remember that the same agents that have done this will still be around when the next President is elected. [...]

Posted by: Alan

As others have noted on various blogs, Bush placed a signing statement on the 2006 reporting requirement that said he didn't have to follow it. So no, it isn't the agents, it's the man at the top that has flouted the law.

Eugene Burrow:
You're absolutely right... the Patriot Act is just a tool, and 20% is nothing to worry about. Just like genocide is just a tool, and 20% of a population gone missing is not a lot to be concerned about.

Robert Reese~

Will congress ask Director Mueller what his previous expereince as a San Francisco U.S. Attorney would have prepared him for this wide spread abuse?

Further proof that Chimpy and his thugs are all criminals.

Now they have corrupted the FBI, one of the last remaining Federal agencies to stand up to the Chimp. (It was FBI agents who first protested torture and abuse at Abu Ghraib and Gitmo).

Chimpy is a crook and should be Chimpeached. Cheney too.

You cannot run the government on the honor system when some people in the government have no honor.

The Admiral from Bears Swamp.

"there was no finding of "willful or criminal misconduct."

Though, obviously, there was "wilfull" conduct whether they acknowledge it with their "finding" or not. And there must be some "criminal misconduct" in there that should be prosecuted--especially if the pattern was approved by managers, which I have no doubt it was.

There are a long string of present and former officials in this administration who must be prosecuted for war crimes and felonies related to their countermanding of the constitution. I hope Congress will get started on the investigation process because it will take a while to bring these people to justice...

Still reading your email...

Which is why Alan, here in America NO president is granted such powers at the demise of our constitution and basic civil liberties. Why are you so eager to give them up "to the terrorists"?

OBL said Bush would chase the ghost of "terrorism" until the United States bleed its self to death (bankruptcy from war) This country is more at risk now than ever-yet Bush sent our military away! He has played right into terrorist hands spending money on a war that should have been used to secure the homeland.

Our military is destroyed, our civil liberties lost. Because of 911? No, too many foreign intel agencies WARNED him it would happen-at least NINE of them. Bush knew. Blotter needs to do some real investigation work, this piece was good-but there's a lot more to the story.

After reading the Blogs are we not better served by writing everyday to your legislators? We can’t afford to wait for this President to leave. We have so much we are losing from education to environment, from this war to corporate fraud, from Medical health to Global poverty.

Its like the rain forest we lose 1000 acres a day. Until one day it won’t exist. Our Democracy is this rain forest. We need to make our stand now. We are the man in the Red square standing in front of the Tank. We need to write everyday until Congress listens. We want Peace, a good free education, an investment in America for the benefit of its people. We deserve it. Corporations have drained us of our civil liberties and now they have become our feudal lords.

This president and his joker Cheney being the kings. People who say we must give a little Liberties for Security. Think about what you say. They can’t even follow the Patriot Act, which is wrong, so why should we give them an inch. Any Terrorist or Country who would attack us knows you wake the sleeping giant as Japan did at Pearl Harbor. We do more through the world in Peace than war. We will have our Wars but let them be for the cause of Freedom. Not Money- So write to your congress everyday. Its your Country-they work for us a Governemnt of the people and by the people. Write!We can really make a difference.

When is this administration, and Bush in particular going to be held accountable? As a military veteran, I for one feel Bush has committed the ULTIMATE treasonous act! Any active military man/woman knows that when you enlist, there is the chance that you will be sent to war. BUT,.. you do so with promise that the Commander in Chief will go to war only as a last resort, and only for a just cause in the best interest of the US. This president and his cohorts straight out lied and manipulated data to lead us into this war! Their treason act has already cost us over 3000 military lives and billions of dollars. Bush needs to be impeached at the very least! Being held criminally responsible for what he has done as Commander in Chief would just be the icing on the cake!

there has never been a democracy that has not committed suicide

I think we may be spending a little too much on defense spending- no wait, that was an understatement. What about issues that would allow for us to decrease defense spening and make this world a safer and more fulfilling place. I'm talking about the Millennium Development Goals and putting an end to global poverty. It's possible, now lets make it happen!

wow - bad week for Gonzales.

I think the whole 'patriot' act is a travesty! Even the name of it is a slap in the face to the freedom we have in the US. A lot of people died to ensure we have freedom, and one incident of terror gave the government an excuse to take steps to further erode it! We're slowly heading toward a communist state!

We the people (US voters) essentially helped give the administration a 5 year head start:
1) conceding to the post 9/11 atmosphere where any criticism was branded as traitorous or even terrorist - our elected congress did us a disservice by going along with it and we didn't do enough to pressure them,
2) re-electing the same administration and GOP majority in 2004 - we all knew this then - these attitudes weren't hidden. We didn't defeat it at the polls.

Now the 2006 elections put a power shift in place for 2007 - but both parties are already busy positioning for 2008 - and with a 5 year onion to peel, will the new congress do anything effective in time? Or is everyone just going to wait out the last 2 years of this empire and hope for better results in '08?

This administration wanted "war powers" which provided monarchy-like control of the government and the country. G.W. is not bright enough to develop, let alone administer,such a program. However Cheney and Rumsfeld had years of preperation and were perfect. Cheney put himself in the V.P. position and placed Rumsfeld in the number two spot... The next step would be to get G.W. impeached for some stupid activity like "phone-taps", or "signing statements". However, it all fell apart when the people realized there were too many lies, along with a "hidden agenda"... Oh what a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive!

Who is going to hold these criminals accountable? The Dems better step up and do something about this. Henry Waxman is the only one in town with the spine to take 'em on.

Who else has the courage to do the people's business?

If they are not part of the solution, then they are part of the problem.

Thomas Jefferson said that a government that has stopped listening to the people should be replaced. Our government stopped listening years ago.

Hi John,

Actually, the problem isn't that their not listening, their listening illegally. However, you are right that they aren't listening to all the people, just some of the people. Take that however you wish. ;c)

as soon as the dems take the white house the GOPers will want the patriot act repealed because they will never allow dems to hold the power they have. once the dems take power there will be a republican drive to limit presidential power

In the real world, someone would be held accountable for violating citizens rights.
The government hides behind the cover of "national security" and classification to cover-up abuses and mismanagement of programs that can only be useful if run with citizens rights and checks and balances in mind.

For example, the governments "no fly" list which is supposed to keep terrorists from boarding airplanes has ensnared 140,000 innocent Americans with common
names.
How many of these people have had their phones tapped?

Well, well! The American people gave big brother the keys to the kingdom, and now everyone wonders how the FBI could abuse their powers. Did anyone every think maybe this is the reason the founders of our country wrote the constitution the way it is written? Perhaps, they saw the inherent nature of too much power in government and purposely created a government of checks and balances for a reason. GOD know we need them. As usual, the administration created enough fear in people that they were willing to trim a little meaning away from the constitution just to feel a little safer. Now tell me...do you feel any safer now? I just wish the people who vote in this country would read just a little bit of history. How about just read a little bit of 1984, then maybe they wouldn't be so surprised when this happens. I mean, duddd!

I am sorry to say it. The Republic goverment and our President Bushii are all of them wrong wrong wrong and our children got on the middle in the middle east. Many of our children are dead, will die and we will never going to see them. What a shame whith our President?? The father then looks like was a little more smarter than the son.

FELONY VIOLATION :

U.S.A. Patriot Act

The C.I.A. in its act of destruction of evidence, (torture tapes), of high value terrorism suspects, has committed numerous FELONY VIOLATIONS of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

Why am I the only one with the brains and courage to say this.

Only an IDIOT, only a SUCKER, only a WIMP would disgregard these Felony Violations of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

Don't be a sucker, be an American !

Point out the Felony Violations of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, fight for your freedoms Americans, are stick your head in a hole, its your choice.

After submitting tips to the FBI.gov website in 2005 and 2006 I have come to realize the FBI does more harm than good. For their $700 billion budget, this country should be a fortress. Instead, we are bullied by people who are unaccountable for payouts to informants, bonus payouts to agents, and related Fraud , Waste and abuse. Who is minding the store?

falsafied psper work at hospiatl

Sentiment will not bring about impeachment; only an indictment with the most horrible crimes that shock and awe America will bring this administration down. Impeachment is the great American Shakespearean drama, and America is only in a position to play this drama out on T.V.. So let’s play ball.

An indictment that grabs the attention of Americans and grabs the short hairs of Congress is the only indictment that will not be ignored. Kucinich is being ignored.

Americans would be absolutely fascinated and entertained by the trial of bush and cheney using articles of impeachment based solely upon felony violations of the USA Patriot Act.