Congress Prepares to Renew the USA Patriot Act, Corporate Media Silent

The Intel Hub
By Avalon
February 3rd, 2011

Almost 10 years and no terrorist attack of any significance have occurred on American soil.

Posted on the Campaign for Liberty’s YouTube Channel is an update by Representative Ron Paul in which he tells the American people what he thinks about the USA Patriot Act and its renewal. Representative Ron Paul suggests that the USA Patriot Act be repealed.

“I consider this an absolute unconstitutional piece of legislation, it shouldn’t be extended, it shouldn’t be made worse, It actually should be repealed in its entirety and we’d all be the better for it.” – Ron Paul – February 3, 2011

“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” – Benjamin Franklin – February 17, 1775

“Of course, there is no doubt that if we lived in a police state, it would be easier to catch terrorists. If we lived in a country that allowed the police to search your home at any time for any reason; if we lived in a country that allowed the government to open your mail, eavesdrop on your phone conversations, or intercept your email communications; if we lived in a country that allowed the government to hold people in jail indefinitely based on what they write or think, or based on mere suspicion that they are up to no good, then the government would no doubt discover and arrest more terrorists. But that probably would not be a country in which we would want to live. And that would not be a country for which we could, in good conscience, ask our young people to fight and die. In short, that would not be America.”– Senator Russ Feingold D-WI Oct. 25, 2001

Obama Signs Patriot Act Extensions President Obama has signed a one-year extension of several provisions in the main U.S. counterterrorism law, the Patriot Act. Provisions in the measure would have expired on Sunday without Obama’s signature Saturday. The act, which was adopted in the weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, expands the government’s ability to monitor Americans in the name of national security. Three sections of the Patriot Act that stay in force (after a one year extension) will: Authorize court-approved roving wiretaps that permit surveillance on multiple phones. Allow court-approved seizure of records and property in anti-terrorism operations. Permit surveillance against a so-called lone wolf, a non-U.S. citizen engaged in terrorism who may not be part of a recognized terrorist group. Obama’s signature comes after the House voted 315 to 97 Thursday to extend the measure. The Senate also approved the measure, with privacy protections cast aside when Senate Democrats lacked the necessary 60-vote supermajority to pass them. Thrown away were restrictions and greater scrutiny on the government’s authority to spy on Americans and seize their records. The Washington Times – February 27, 2010

Incidentally, Campaign for Liberty is a proud sponsor of the “Conservative Political Action Conference” (CPAC) held in Washington, DC from Thursday, February 10 – Saturday, February 12, 2011.

A summary of the Key Controversies of the USA Patriot Act are listed on the NPR website.

“The Patriot Act drove a stake through the heart of the Bill of Rights, violating at least six of the ten original amendments – the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Amendments – and possibly the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments, as well.” – John W. Whitehead – January 28, 2011

There are a number of sites listing your Congressman – Campaign for Liberty is one.

Repeal the Patriot Act!!!