Senate Coverage -- (February '06)

Thomas ^ | 2-1-06 | US Congress

[Txsleuth]

Thank you Cboldt....you are the best!!

[Cboldt]

I see however, that I doubled up on some of FEINGOLD's statements.

Personally, I'd rather have his proposed amendments submitted, debated and voted on. I'm surprised there couldn't be an agreement on the number of amendments. Seems it would have been a fair trade in exchange for no objection to taking the matter up, etc.

[Cboldt]

S.2271 : A bill to clarify that individuals who receive FISA orders can challenge nondisclosure requirements, that individuals who receive national security letters are not required to disclose the name of their attorney, that libraries are not wire or electronic communication service providers unless they provide specific services, and for other purposes.

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The specifics include:

• "Ability to challenge the gag order attached to a Section 215 order." The possibility only is available after one year and the FISA judge may only overturn the gag if the government does not certify and the judge finds that there is no reason to believe that the disclosure "may endanger the national security of the U.S., interfere with a criminal, counterterrorism, or counterintelligence investigation, interfere with diplomatic relations, or endanger the life of physical safety of any person." The certification of the government to these possibilities is to be taken as conclusive.
• Removal of the requirement that a recipient of an NSL inform the FBI of the identity of an attorney to whom disclosure was made or will be made to obtain legal advice or legal assistance with respect to the order. The proposal still requires the recipient to, upon the request of the Director of the FBI, identify anyone else to whom a disclosure is made (or to whom the recipient is intending to disclose).
• Language asserting that libraries, when functioning in their traditional roles - including providing Internet access, are not subject to NSLs. However, the language states that libraries are subject if the library "is providing the services defined under" Section 2510(15) of title 18, which says " "electronic communication service" means any service which provides to users thereof the ability to send or receive wire or electronic communications." The FBI has repeatedly asserted that all libraries that provide Internet access come under this definition. So, it is very unclear whether this section as now written provides any real protection to libraries.

Google cache of ALA | The USA Patriot Act & Libraries Page

[tiredoflaundry]

Check Cynthia McKinny on the House floor. She undid her braid! Now she has a total disaster on her head!

[Txsleuth]

LOL....I saw that --- her head reminds me of the brush that I use to clean my dryer vent!!!

[Txsleuth]

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/021606/news4.html

Check this article out...remember the Miranda case?

He was Frist's aide, that found the e-mail on the computer by Durbin and Kennedy that had their strategy for holding up Bush's judicial nominees...

This article is about the investigation....but, even after reading it...I can't believe that it is the DEMS that feel betrayed...not the GOP Senators...

[Mo1]

from your link

But while the Senate legal counsel is conducting negotiations, lawmakers will make the final decision about what is shared.

So the Senate claims final authority on what of their documents can be handed over ... but they think the President doesn't have that authority??

Bleeping Hypocrites !

[Txsleuth]

Exactly....thought you all would be interested in that..

[Txsleuth]

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/02/16/D8FQEAHO8.html

This is gonna cause a "stink" as well....

[Howlin]

I'm not happy with that one.

[Cboldt]

The "sale of port security" has already been rebutted. Nothing to see ... move along.

My understanding is that these companies are the freight handlers, who don't have security as their primary responsibility. They are more like the "port equivalent" of UPS and FedEx. They handle the freight, and submit as required to customs and other agents of the law.

[Mo1]

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, run by the Treasury Department, reviewed an assessment from U.S. intelligence agencies. The committee's 12 members agreed unanimously the sale did not present any problems, the department said

Who are the 12 members?

[Peach]

Are you watching the president on FNC? It's a tape and he's asked about Cheney and although he's remaining calm and dignified, it is OBVIOUS that he is ticked off.

Re the ports, Txsleuth, I'm not happy that Arabs will be put in charge of some port security.

[Txsleuth]

Yeah...but, doesn't it make you nervous that these freight handlers could handle freight filled with WMDS..or even terrorists smuggling into the USA???

I don't know...it just doesn't sound good to me...when I saw that Schumer was heading the group wanting this reviewed...I automatically told myself that it must not be BAD..if Schumer is against it...LOL..

However, I am just very nervous having any of those countries have ANY reason to be hanging around our ports..

Maybe we should get Halliburton to handle it??? (ducking)

[Txsleuth]

No....my TV seems to be stuck on Noggin..lol

Thanks for the update on the prez, though.

I bet he is furious at the White House press corps...and from people like Chrissy Matthews, who was saying last night that Cheney shot Mr. Whittington in the HEART...and that this has caused problems personally between Cheney and Bush...

BLech!!

[Mo1]

Sessions is up about the wiretapping

[Cboldt]

Who are the 12 members [of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States]?

In 1993, in response to a sense of Congress resolution, CFIUS membership was expanded by Executive Order 12860 to include the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy. In February 2003, the Department of Homeland Security was added to CFIUS. This brought the membership of CFIUS to twelve under the chairmanship of the Secretary of Treasury. The other members are the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Commerce, the Attorney General, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the U.S. Trade Representative, and the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers.

http://www.treas.gov/offices/international-affairs/exon-florio/

[Txsleuth]

Thanks for the heads up!!

[Mo1]

Thanks

Now ... maybe I missed it ... but did this committee give a reason to ok this stunt?

[Mo1]

Off topic

Good Grief

Eskow Says Hunting Incident Was Cheney’s “Chappaquiddick”, VP Was Cheating On His Wife (VIDEO)
http://exposetheleft.com/2006/02/16/eskow-cappaquiddick/