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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: MrLucky who wrote (128533)	7/30/2005 2:25:25 PM
From: miraje	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793964

It was nice to see that the Patriot Act crap has calmed down a bit. Talk about negative hype about nothing! If it's used for the purpose for which it was intended, I'm all for it. The trouble is, when the government abuses these powers such as detailed in the article below, it worries me. I detest the filthy terrorists and their corrupt ideology with a passion but I'm also aware of how fragile the civil liberties we take for granted are. When little old ladies get searched and frisked in the name of PC while the Feds go after strip clubs under the Patriot Act, then something is rotten in Denmark. It's not often that I agree with Harry Reid (D-NV), but his comment below was right on, IMO.. reviewjournal.com PATRIOT ACT: Law's use causing concerns Use of statute in corruption case unprecedented, attorneys contend By J.M. KALIL and STEVE TETREAULT REVIEW-JOURNAL The investigation of strip club owner Michael Galardi and numerous politicians appears to be the first time federal authorities have used the Patriot Act in a public corruption probe. Government officials said Tuesday they knew of no other instances in which federal agents investigating allegations such as racketeering and bribery of politicians have employed the act. "I don't know that it's been used in a public corruption case before this," said Mark Corallo, a spokesman for the Justice Department. An attorney for one of the defendants in the Galardi case said he researched the matter for hours Tuesday and came to the same conclusion. "I have discussed this with lawyers all over the country, and if the government has done this before, then this is definitely the first time it has come to light," said Las Vegas attorney Dominic Gentile, who represents former Clark County Commissioner Lance Malone, Galardi's lobbyist. Two of Nevada's lawmakers blasted the FBI for employing the act in the Galardi probe, saying the agency overstepped its bounds. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Congress intended the Patriot Act to help federal authorities root out threats from terrorists and spies after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. "The law was intended for activities related to terrorism and not to naked women," said Reid, who as minority whip is the second most powerful Democrat in the Senate. "Let me say, with Galardi and his whole gang, I don't condone, appreciate or support all their nakedness. But having said that, I haven't heard anyone say at any time he was involved with terrorism." Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., said she was preparing an inquiry to the FBI about its guidelines for using the Patriot Act in cases that don't involve terrorism. The law makes it easy for citizens' rights to be abused, she said. "It was never my intention that the Patriot Act be used for garden-variety crimes and investigations," Berkley said...