Sen. Wyden Decries “Secret Law” on PATRIOT Act, by Steven Aftergood, Secrecy News (May 25th, 2011)
Quote:
"We can have honest and legitimate disagreements about exactly how broad intelligence collection authorities ought to be, and members of the public do not expect to know all of the details about how those authorities are used," Sen. Wyden said. "But I hope each Senator would agree that the law itself should not be kept secret and that the government should always be open and honest with the American people about what the law means."
But the Senate moved toward cloture on reauthorization of the PATRIOT Act provisions and the Wyden amendment, which was co-sponsored by several Senate colleagues, was not permitted to be offered or to be voted upon.
https://freegovinfo.info/taxonomy/term/225
In Feb. 2010 congress passed a 1 year extension on 3 provisions of the Patriot Act just hours before they were to expire . They were ...
1,
Quote:
•Reauthorized Section 206, the "roving wiretap" provision that allows the FBI to wiretap a phone without having to provide the target's name or even phone number. And unlike other law enforcement agencies, the FBI doesn't even have to get permission to tap the specific phone before they tap it
2,
Quote:
•Reauthorized Section 6001, a.k.a. the "lone wolf" provision. Section 6001 authorizes the government to get secret surveillance orders against individuals who are not associated with any international terrorist group or foreign nation.
3,
Quote:
•Reauthorized Section 215, a.k.a. the "library provision": Section 215 lowers the bar on the standard of proof needed to get a court order to access private info. Before Patriot, “specific and articulable facts” showing that the target of surveillance was the agent of a foreign power was required. After Patriot, Section 215 allows the FBI to only claim that the items or information sought is relevant to an investigation. That means the person being surveilled doesn't necessarily have to be the target of the investigation or even be suspected of involvement in terrorism.
https://www.aclu.org/blog/national-security/congress-drops-ball-upgrading-patriot-protections
And now in 2011 we have a 4 year extension .
Google these words
lone wolf
Section 215
gag order
National Security Letter NSL's
Then read the First and Forth Amendments....
First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Fourth Amendment -
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Notice anything ?