Justice Department Proud of Patriot Act Slippery Slope 1108
frank_adrian314159 writes "Yahoo News is reporting that the DoJ has been using its increased powers under the US PATRIOT Act to pursue common criminals. DoJ Officials have been holding seminars on how to use increased wiretap powers against (non-terrorist) money launderers and drug dealers. One example in the article is the guy running a meth lab who's now up for a life sentence for 'manufacturing chemical weapons' instead of the much shorter sentence he would have been facing under the current drug laws. Wonderful, huh? Who didn't see this coming? Of course, you're a law-abiding citizen, so you have nothing to worry about, right?" Patriot Act II will allow any Federal agent to demand records from anyone who interacts with you, with no judicial oversight whatsoever.
I, for one, welcome our... (Score:4, Funny)
Oh wait, we've had them since 1776. DOH!!
Ob. Brockman. (Score:3, Funny)
Wait a second. No I don't.
Re:Great (Score:5, Funny)
This is good (Score:5, Funny)
Finally the US government has unveiled some dangerous chemical WMD.
Too bad it's produced in the US, by a US citizen and for recreational purposes.
Go USA.
Re:Chemical WMDs (Score:3, Funny)
sue McD's! (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Great (Score:5, Funny)
Rhetoric.. (Score:4, Funny)
I do believe this is the final straw for myself. I will be permanently leaving the country as soon as financially possible.
It would incredibly interesting if the emmigration rate soared in the next few years from the US. I guess we'll wait and see.
Ever see Ashcroft on TV talking about this (Score:3, Funny)
We can only hope 4 year terms run in the bush family. And I voted for dubya.
6 months?!? (Score:3, Funny)
A North Carolina county prosecutor charged a man accused of running a methamphetamine lab with breaking a new state law barring the manufacture of chemical weapons. If convicted, Martin Dwayne Miller could get 12 years to life in prison for a crime that usually brings about six months.
Six months?!?!?? I think the drug laws are kinda whacked, but do you blame a prosecutor from trying to get a stronger sentence any way he can? The guy was manufacturing meth, fer gawd's sake. Not like he was smoking a doob or doing an occasional line.
Where are we going? (Score:2, Funny)
Where are we going in this handbasket? Me and the USA have to go pee!
Re:Print the article... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:6 months?!? (Score:1, Funny)
Obviously youve never tried meth. How is that more dangerous than a "line". You should really try it: it will clear your mind or at least it will prevent you from sounding like a bullshit-spreading motherfucking asshole.
Re:Why not go after the tobacco companies next? (Score:2, Funny)
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury. I present to you now the most serious threat to human life and liberty today. It is a Chemical Weapon of Mass Destruction that is more pervasive and insideous than any other known today. It exists in every country, and can even be found in modern homes. It is a major componant of acid rain, and is found in large quantities in ALL forms of cancerous tissue. It is colorless, oderless, and deadly when inhaled. I submit that humankind will not be safe until every molocule of this toxic substance is permentantly destroyed.
It's chemical name in scientific circles is... Dihydrogen Monoxide, and it must be stopped.
Thank you.
Re:Great (Score:3, Funny)
Re:I Understand Now (Score:1, Funny)
No, it's worse than that. If you drink about three quarts of water all at once you can die. So water is "a substance that is designed or has the capability to cause death or serious injury."
Frankly, I wouldn't be too upset if all water bottlers were put away under the Patriot Act.
Re:Chemical WMDs (Score:1, Funny)
Name change... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I, for one, welcome our... (Score:5, Funny)
Even better, they're warning people to both cover their windows with plywood AND to evacuate their homes. The notion that you can make a house air tight with plywood is ridiculous enough, but it does little good if the people aren't even there!
Face it, the Republicans have trumped up this "hurricane Isobel" nonsense to spread fear and panic to the masses. Luckily, you all have us Democrats to tell you about this farce. Take it from us, the best thing you could do, even if a hurricane were to magically hit, is to stay _home_. In the event of an actual hurricane, the roads will be needed for rescue crews and linemen to repair the electrical and telecommunications infrastructure. That's what the roads are there for, after all. Even if your neighbor is in trouble, don't go to help! Call 911 and let the authorities handle the situation, because after all, who's going to be better trained for these situations, you or an impartial team of workers hired and trained to be able to prioritize these things properly?
Re:I, for one, welcome our... (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Print the article... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:I Understand Now (Score:2, Funny)
Invade France!!!
The Patriot Act, Part III (Score:3, Funny)
Books would be classified in the Terrorist Penal Code as Weapons of Mass Instruction.
It would be illegal, punishable by death by burning, to possess or traffic in any such materials banned by the government. For the convenience of the guilty, the government would offer the choice of being burned at the stake or in a huge bonfire.
To enforce compliance, the law would allow any federal agent, or anybody claiming to be a federal agent, to enter any property, with or without permission or the use of force, to search and seize anything, to beat up, rape, arrest, or kill anyone, and to charge the party being investigated any "reasonable" fee for the aforementioned services.
Of course, under the new law, acts of real terrorism, as in blowing things up and killing lots of people, would fall under civil code, like intellectual property laws. Thus, if you are killed in a terrorist attack, you would have to sue the terrorist in small claims court.
Re:I, for one, welcome our... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Name change... (Score:2, Funny)
Re: I, for one, welcome our... (Score:4, Funny)
------------Mark Twain
Re:I, for one, welcome our... (Score:5, Funny)
NY Times Account V (Score:1, Funny)
password: member
Got that on a guess. Damn i'm good
Re:Vancouver's Pretty Nice (Score:1, Funny)
Sure you can, if you are Canadian! Most American prefer suntanning only when the temperature is at least over 70.
--A Californian who loves Canadian beer and is afraid of the Federal government
Re:I, for one, welcome our... (Score:4, Funny)
The majority of his tax cuts went to those at the lower end of the ethical spectrum.