Applied Indifference

This article about the PATRIOT renewal stalling is interesting. Seems that there ARE some conservatives left in the GOP. The original PATRIOT act didn’t trouble me overmuch. Sure, it took some controversial things already in play in RICO and DEA actions and extended them to terrorism. But there was court oversight, and the ability to at least attempt to avoid mistakes. But some of the stuff that is being requested in the reauthorization bill is unacceptable.

Relevant section of the above article:
Among other powers, the legislation would have given law-enforcement officials the power to compel compliance with administrative subpoenas, one of the most controversial elements of the Patriot Act that a sizeable group of Republicans on the Hill are trying to abolish. Administrative subpoenas may be issued by law-
enforcement agencies without the approval of a court.
Administrative subpoenas need to go away entirely, not be expanded. We know that without proper supervision we end up with Waco, or at worst, Abu Ghraib. To give that kind of power, unchecked, to employees (who are not accountable to the people) is a Bad Thing.

There are only two things in the PATRIOT act and in the suggested “enhancements” to it that I object to. Anything that lacks court oversight is totally unacceptable. Anything that is not completely open and transparent needs to have a damned good reason for being secret, and should have extra-special court scrutiny applied.

However, that this review is happening shows one very good thing about our system of government. In its own good time, it does work. This review also points out something else - that it is a good thing for laws to expire and require reauthorization. I’d like to see ALL legislation have hard ending dates, if for no other reason than to keep things in the public eye.

Tags: Politics //