 this is acting like a patriot. Friday, December 09, 2005 Hey aren't some key Patriot Act provisions due to 'sunset' on December 31? As of yesterday, it looks like the 'Publicians will get another opportunity to squelch personal freedoms for a while longer, so let me give you some info on one of the sections that concerns me most...filler up buster. The Access to Records Probably the most hotly debated provision of the Patriot Act and rightfully so, Section 215 aka. the 'libraries provision'( even though it fails to ever mention libraries or bookstores.) The ACLU has attacked the breadth of this section -- which allows investigators to obtain 'any tangible thing (including books, records, papers, documents and other items),' as long as the records are sought 'in connection with' a terror investigation. Library groups said the law could be used to demand the reading records of slubs like me or you (eek, Weston's nudes, Mapplethorpe's bullwhip or God forbid...a Michael Moore book!). But the Government points out that the First Amendment activities of Americans are specifically protected by the law. The Justice Department has released previously classified statistics to show the law has never been used against libraries or bookstores. But the act's critics argue that there's no protection against future abuse...the Goverment, of course, wants to keep it that way. Dems, as well as civil libertarians, have proposed scads of amendments: special protections for libraries and bookstores; a requirement that investigators explain the reason the records are sought; and an end to the ridiculous 'gag rule' that prohibits people who receive a 215 order from talking about it with anyone. The Justice Department has agreed that recipients can consult with an attorney and is open to an amendment that specifies this right. But the government says the controversy over this provision is an overreaction, and that this section merely expands longstanding access to certain business records. In short, the Government wants small businesses, or any business for that matter, to give up credit and purchasing information about their customers but not talk about it with their customers. Bad stuff. But on top of that it takes the courts out of the arguement, so businesses cannot fight the battle in front of a judge if they choose to not supply the records. This isn't a paranoid rant, most of this information is available everywhere...www.npr.org for more. Why put any of this on a goofy little photoblog? I'm just scared of this current US I live in, fear rules us a bit too much, we will suffer if this continues, mark my words I like this country, I like my freedom, I hate repression, I hate snoops, and I hate this notion of 'blanket protection' that infringes on my personal rights...I personally think I'm a Patriot...because I'm not afraid to say...anything. We give words power and resonance and vice-versa, positive or negative. I refuse to not use them as I wish. So speak up, speak out, dare to give a shit. Board with the Flag. Diana+3 diopter. TMax 400. Get Toy Camera readables. Bookmark it today! Soon you will be buying. Until then just look at pictures. Comment (4) | Permalink |
