[freeeee]

"...the Patriot Act extended the government's powers well beyond the terrorism arena. The creatively named law - USA Patriot stands for "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism" - also handed FBI agents and prosecutors a broad new arsenal for going after garden-variety criminals."

"Already, they have used "sneak-and-peek" warrants, wiretaps, Internet surveillance and other Patriot tools in pursuit of thieves, computer hackers, drug dealers and money launderers. And they're exploring how the law can be used in other realms."

"That's as it should be, a key author of the Patriot Act says. A lot of these tools can be used in ordinary crimes," former Assistant Attorney General Viet Dinh acknowledged during a recent debate over the Patriot Act on CNNfn. "But heck, if we happen to catch a murderer, excuse me for not apologizing." Source

The article failed to mention that Justice Department is holding seminars to teach DA's how to apply PATRIOT Act to cases other than terrorism.

"Protect us from terrorists", my arse. They're trying to use terrrorism as an excuse to revoke the Bill of Rights, and they aren't even attempting to make it appear otherwise.

[eface]

bump!!!

[cookcounty]

""Already, they have used "sneak-and-peek" warrants, wiretaps, Internet surveillance and other Patriot tools in pursuit of thieves, computer hackers, drug dealers and money launderers. And they're exploring how the law can be used in other realms."

I keep hearing this claim. I also keep NOT hearing any of the specific cases. Why is it that the people who make this claim (and therefore must know of specific cases), will not divulge anything about these specific cases???