She Was Right....But She Wont Admit It

[Barney Reinberg]

Personal Preservation

It’s becoming quite clear that the job of a Senator or House member is just that, a job. Show up to the floor, give a speech and cast a vote. The day is done its in the past, move onto tomorrow. Votes that were cast in the past or even their opinion on the Bill or its consequences are not called into question years later. Even if it directly effects one of their political brethren.

Brief History

In 1978, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) became Federal law. FISA was first introduced to provide judicial an congressional oversight of federal agencies surveillance on foreign entities and individuals in the United States. Soon after the 911 attacks, the PATRIOT Act was passed. This Act gave Federal agencies namely, the FBI a broader scope of surveillance areas. Section 215 allowed the search of business records, phone records and library records.
National Security Letters (NSL) were given a boost as well. NSL’s, are an administrative subpoena that do not required prior approval of a judge.

The PATRIOT was renewed in 2005, 2011 and its new form the USA Freedom Act was signed into law in 2015.

Sum Of All Fears
For the most part, the Senate has been a strong proponent of “all things” FISA. House members have taken a much more adversarial stance. These are the true patriots for individual freedom. Standing up for our fourth Amendment Rights. Here is what one great American House member said concerning the PATRIOT Act and its extension in 2009.

“Congress has a responsibly to check the power of the executive branch, not cede that authority, potentially threatening the civil liberties of our citizens. The underlying conference repost unfortunately still fails to safeguard individual privacy rights, and allow the Government, with little burden of proof, to scrutinize nearly every aspect of a person’s life.”

A true patriot. In 2015 they voted "no" for the “new and improved” USA Freedom Act. Actually, this house member is still in Congress. You would think with the revelations of FISA warrants used to spy on then candidate Donald Trump and now President Trump this house member would be doing a somber “see I told you so”. But you would be wrong.

A New Day
That opinion has changed. From abuse of individual rights to “impeach Trump”, “impeach 45”. This preserver of individual rights is none other than Maxine Waters (D-CA). She is not the only one who could be standing on the stump and reiterating their "no" vote on the PATRIOT Act. Elijah Cumming (D-MD) and Sheila Jackson Lee(D-TX) could as well. No one has yet to confront these house members and ask them why the change of heart? Now, the “yea” voters need to be held accountable as well. Jeff Sessions(R-UT), Chuck Grassley(R-IA), Mitch McConnell(R-AL), Debbie Stabenow(D-MI) et al need to be asked “is this what you had in mind when you voted “yea””?

It Is Sad
One has to wonder about the law makers of this country. Opinions change for personal preservation and the “almighty dollar”. Are they really there for the American people? Can you believe they really will take the side of an issue, defend it and hold firm? It does not appear so, not anymore.

https://waters.house.gov/media-center/floor-statemements/usa-patrio...

[XLFD]

Mad Maxine is hard enough to take seriously, however, your article and the recent 911 remembrances reminds me that the Patriot Act was a turning point for the Republican Party, in that the prevailing Reaganism of the time had the GOP being distrustful of a powerful and growing government, and yet, they chose security over liberty in a way Reagan would never have accepted.  That act was passed by a congress within two months of 911, with only 3 Republicans voting against it (which included uber-Libertarian Ron Paul), and 67 Democrats doing the same, including the only Senator casting a no vote, Russ Feingold of Wisconsin. 

Only a small sect of Republicans since have carried the torch for civil liberties when the extensions and amendments to the liberty-suffocating act have come in play.  The misuse of the FISA court in the Obama years, and the growth of an oppressive deep state swamp that threatens our current president can said to have been fathered by the abandonment of basic liberties the Republicans once held dear for the illusion of better security. 

[Willy]

Great topic Barney and a most important subject. The generation who lived thru the depression and fought WW2 would never had passed the freedom robbing legislation known as the Patriot Act which only demonstrates how their off spring have embarked on a path to ruin America. Cowards is the word I use to describe the generations of politicians that have followed the generation that saved the World from tyranny. When the Patriot Act was passed I realized that not only had radical Islam succeeded in breaching our security but also won the battle of fear and terror when the cowards in Congress gave away our freedoms and liberty with the enactment of the Patriot Act. Not only have the new laws been abused, they have been weaponized to help, leftist communists and Marxists revolutionaries gain a foot hold by implementing the PA laws against the people of this Country. We are in a dangerous place where the future of America is poised to be toppled by enemies from within.