Two U.S. Senators on the Intelligence Committee...beware of the Patriot Act

Two Democratic U.S. Senators, Mark Udall of Colorado and Ron Wyden of Oregon have gone of record as warning the citizens of the U.S. that if they knew how and to what extent the Patriot Act is being used they would be alarmed at how the Act might and can and in some instances undermines our civil liberties under the premise that the government is using it just to protect us from terrorism. The documents that explain how the Obama administration implements the Patriot Act are classified. The two senators above are privy to this information and without telling the details (which they cannot do so legally) at least warned us to beware.

I believe that the government is obtaining "bulk information" from a very large cross sections of this country's citizens that has nothing to do with spying or terrorism and using it to have an electronic file on each and everyone of us...maybe "big brother" is already hear. Things that start off innocently ofter lead to "ends" not justified by the Constitution or the Bill of Rights. Beware of those who never loose an opportunity to use an "emergency" to further aggrandise power and centrally locate it in the Federal Government...big government leads to more control of the people and less control of the people who should be in control of their Government.

So called Patriot Act extended for three months

The US House and Senate passed an extension of the egregious so call, misnamed and misleading "Patriot Act". The extension was for three months. Loosing our civil liberties and protection under the Constitution is not the way to fight terrorism. Remember the more power you give to the government the less you have...beware those who  grow the government under the promise that you will be more safe.



Some of the worst provisions include:






Roving, warrant-less wiretaps of virtually ALL forms of electronic communications by U.S. citizens.



Secret federal searches without warrants OR knowledge of the resident.



Blanket warrants for the search and seizure of all library records, without naming individual suspects or providing probable cause.



Judicial warrants replaced with “National Security Letters” signed by unaccountable bureaucrats. Also makes provision to gag anyone served with a “National Security Letter” from disclosing them.



Drastic expansion of the definition of “domestic terrorism,” which is sure to include gun owners.



Expands asset seizure to permit the taking of assets from anyone “suspected” of terrorism, even if that person is NEVER charged or sent to trial.



Lone wolf provisions which allow the government to spy on ANYONE even if they’re not associated with a terrorist organization or foreign national, without due process or notification.

Is the TSA the new OSHA...like in Bill Barlow v. OSHA (1976)

Pocatello, Idaho....  Bill Barlow and his four sons ran a plumbing, heating and electrical business. This was a family-owned business with thirty-five employees. Bill new that eventually OSHA would sooner or later inspect his business on his private property. After some thinking and study he felt that such inspection of private property by the government was a violation of a constitutional right under the Fourth Amendment.*

    *Article IV, December 15, 1791: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, 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.

OSHA, at that time, based its right to search without a warrant of Section 8(a) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Bill refused to obey the order. He challenged the constitutionality of Section 8(a) of the OSHA Act via an empaneled three judge court.

The U.S. District Court ruled on December 30, 1976 in his favor stating that Section 8(a) 'directly offends against the prohibitions of the 4th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America.'

I would like to know how the government and TSA circumvented and continues to circumvent via the Patriot
 Act or other instrument the original intent of the very clearly stated right established by the 4th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America. What Amendment (Right) are we going to loose to the sacred altar of security and safety...where will this stop?

USA PATRIOT Act (aka the Patriot Act)

A short time ago I wrote to Congressman Joe Walsh, 8th District, Illinois. I voiced my concerns about continuing the Patriot Act and expanding its provisions which in my view may, in some cases, violate our civil rights. I believe it is necessary, at this time in our national history, to have this Act in place to safeguard our country and its citizens but I do believe that it should be reviewed at least twice a year and any additional intrusions on our civil rights and privacy have to be closely followed by the House Committee on Homeland Security of which Congressman Walsh is a member.

Congressman Joe Walsh responded on February 11, 2011 to my inquiry in the following manner:

"Yet, I do believe wholeheartedly that our civil liberties are sacred and indivisible, and I share your concerns that the federal government may be overstepping its bounds and going beyond what is necessary and proper to maintain our safety. As a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I will continue to monitor federal authorities to make sure they do not infringe upon the rights and privacy of peaceful Americans. I plan to review Patriot Act programs and investigate all cases of its abuse and will endeavor to reform the offending agencies or programs so that these cases are not repeated."

I hope that all who read this will keep in contact with Congressman Walsh and monitor his progress in keeping the above promise to his constituents.

Congressman Joe Walsh

432 Cannon House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

(202) 225-3711