more on FBI documents obtained via FOIA indicate Patriot Act abuses [priv]

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Jim Warren <jwarren () well com>
Date: October 25, 2005 4:42:31 PM EDT
To: dave () farber net
Cc: Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>
Subject: Re: [IP] FBI documents obtained via FOIA indicate Patriot  
Act abuses [priv]


> ... The FBI has conducted clandestine surveillance on some U.S.
> residents for as long as 18 months at a time without proper  
> paperwork or
> oversight ...

So?  Why should this surprise anyone?!

The problem with such ILLEGAL actions by government agents and  
agencies is -- although it is prohibited by law, there are NO  
PENALTIES mandated against those who perpetrate these crimes!

It is VERY common -- USUALLY the case! -- that legislators (local,  
state and federal) enact such feel-good prohibitions and limits, when  
they grant new and dangerous powers to their agencies, to "protect  
us" against agent/agency abuses.

BUT ... they RARELY include any PENALTIES to be imposed on those who  
are actually responsible, when (not if!) various agents and agencies  
overreach, abuse their powers and functionally thumb their  
governmental noses at the "rule of law" that is so-incessantly tauted  
by the same conservative legislators who FAIL to mandate PENALTIES  
against such government law-breakers.

Can you imagine those same law'n'order legislators enacting  
comparable restraints and prohibitions on us CITIZENS ... without  
ALSO making DAMN-sure they include substantive PENALTIES to be  
imposed on anyone who dares to violate their limits?!

First and foremost, the government -- especially this law'n'order  
government -- serves itSELF; NOT its citizens!

--jim, just another disgusted Citizen





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