Posted on 12/17/2005 8:09:19 AM PST by joinedafterattack
Bush Raps Senators on Blocking Patriot Act
By JENNIFER LOVEN
WASHINGTON - President Bush said Saturday that senators who are blocking renewal of the terrorism-fighting Patriot Act are acting irresponsibly and standing in the way of protecting the country from attack.
President Bush said Saturday that senators who are blocking renewal of the terrorism-fighting Patriot Act are acting irresponsibly and standing in the way of protecting the country from attack.
"In the war on terror, we cannot afford to be without this law for a single moment," the president said in a live broadcast from the White House of his weekly radio address.
Senate Democrats, with the aid of a handful of Republicans, succeeded Friday in stalling the bill already approved by the House. The vote to advance the measure, 52-47, fell eight votes shy of the 60 votes required to end debate.
"That decision is irresponsible and it endangers the lives of our citizens. The senators who are filibustering must stop their delaying tactics and the Senate must reauthorize the Patriot Act," Bush said.
Opponents of renewing the law, most of whom are Democrats, argue that it threatens constitutional liberties at home.
Most Republicans and other supporters say the act is essential for protecting the country against terrorists. The law was enacted in the aftermath of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Of the 55 Republicans in the Senate, four helped to block its passage while two of the 45 Democrats pushed to pass it.
Some of the most contentious elements of the Patriot Act include powers granted to law enforcement agencies to gain access in secret to library and medical records and other personal data during investigations of suspected terrorist activity.
The law allows the government to conduct roving wiretaps involving multiple phones and to wiretap "lone wolf" terrorists who may operate on their own, without control from a foreign agent or power.
If the law is not renewed, its powers would expire Dec. 31 only for new investigations of people whose criminal activity began after Dec. 31 and who were not associated with anyone who was under investigation before Dec. 31.
The debate over the Patriot Act was fueled anew by a New York Times report that Bush had secretly authorized eavesdropping on individuals in the United States without first gaining permission from the courts.
A service of the Associated Press(AP)
The president said that he's briefed Congress dozens of times about the spying and there's never been an objection.
Disgraceful Democrats and some Rinos just voted for what Rush Limbaugh called, the terrorist bill of rights.
I'll bet if one or two Muslim women complained about McCain's ugly scarred face, he would wear a mask to placate them.
Why can't Bush just issue executive orders for the patriot act and tell the dems you lose.
I am so sick of the dems lead by reid harming this country.
Their whole goal is to leak all our classified intel to the press then we are weakened so much we get attacked and they can blame it on Bush.
We are at war domestically.
The dem staffers in congress are leaking to the press.
Why would you breif congress when dem staffers leak all the info to the NY Times.
Just in the last few weeks the secret prisons now this.
When will the leaks stop.
"The president said that he's briefed Congress dozens of times about the spying and there's never been an objection."
Guess they didn't need to trump up a scandal before.
This is further proof of the failure of the intelligence agencies. The very fact that these leaks continue means that the CIA, the FBI, Justice, and NSA are totally incompetent.
The president need to call the heads of these agencies onto the carpet, along with Negroponte, and demand that the leakers are caught and prosecuted. We're talking national security here and again the intelligence community is napping.
This is a different world. Messages aren't in "boots", they're in electronic messages.
They are allies of Al Qaeda and the Jihadists.
I can live with the Patriot Act as long as those laws are not made permanent..
They are only justified in the face of an imminent threat, and once that threat is ended, the Patriot Act must sunset...
Government does not willingly surrender such powers over the people..
Once you give permanent powers over your private papers, and activities, you will never get that privacy back..
Not without a massive fight, possibly a Civil War..
Might as well say never..
The Dems are NUTS!!
That's the same thing I've been thinking. That they're trying to get us attacked again so they can blame President Bush.
Because we are a Representative Democracy.
I absolutely agree! Our (un)intelligence communities are a completely farce & disgrace for the way they undermine President Bush at every turn of the crank.
Geez, I wish Bush would call these SOB's into his office, rake them over the coals up one side and down the other, and tell them clearly if the leaks don't stop, firings will commence.
Also I would love to slash the $44B intelligence budget by 1/2 since it seems to be failing anyway. We need much leaner & meaner (and loyal) intelligence agencies. They are currently pathetic!
Dems will vote against almost any act that President Bush wants or needs and there are always a few limp wristed sock suckers from the RINO ranks that will go along with them.
Balance that with Mr. Bush signing McPains no torture bill and we might as well save the money we are putting into security.
Executive orders can be challenged by the Senate..
You should know this..
It only takes a few senators to challenge an executive order and it does not take effect..
Executive orders only work by the (implied) consent of the Senate..
If the senate trys to adjourn with passing this bill, the President should call an emergency National Security session of the congress on December 23rd. Go on live tv and explain to the public that he believes that no politician should be celebrating the holidays, while they are putting our lives in danger. He should say to the congress that unless and until they pass this bill, he will continue to recall them. Let's play real hardball. See which of these spineless bastards will then stand up for this shameful filibuster. Turn on the spotlight and the tv cameras and watch them wilt.
Never. The Dems. know most Americans don't understand what is happening, don't understand who is in the right.
Yep, Especially considering our magnificent military is working 24/7 through the holidays. I wrote Frist an email urging him to do so.
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