bloody fucking hell

[theladyrose]

I started rejoicing for London because of its winning the 2012 Summer Olympics bid, but as soon as I came into journalism I found out about the subway and bus bombings. I am praying for everyone who was hurt or killed and their families and hope that my friends across the pond are safe.

And Judith Miller is going to jail for not giving up on her sources; it's Robert Novak who revealed Valerie Plame's identity who ought to be imprisoned. Today struck a great blow to journalism. This issue is all about the politics.

This day sucks arse, and I have to get back to class now.

Comments

[a-mire.livejournal.com]

This is how Macarthyism started. First it's "who are your sources", then its "tell us which of your friends are sympathetic to Eastasia". They abused loopholes in the Sedition Act, now we can start abusing loopholes in the Patriot Act.

You may enjoy this site, though some links are outdated.

Students for Orwell.

I like kittens.

[theladyrose.livejournal.com]

That site is awesome. I really have to show it to my journalism class.

Do you know if the Patriot Act been renewed in its old form, or are more technicalities being added?

How can you not like kittens?

[a-mire.livejournal.com]

From what I understand so far, the Library/medical/shopping record searches without notice (Section 215) had its sunset and was not renewed, largely due to the efforts of "Sanders of Vermont". Section 213, the "Sneak and Peek" warrant which allows the FBI to search your home without judicial review and without any connection to terrorism or even anything foreign or illegal is still in effect. They were already allowed to do this before the Patriot Act in matters of national security, but now it is extended to anyone. This doesn't necessarily mean they are looking for criminal activity, it also means if the FBI finds out that your sister is a crackhead by searching your home, they could blackmail you into spying on a coworker for them. At least in the current wording. Section 802, the part I have the most problem with, is still in effect and due to be expanded. It's the part that made jaywalking and trying to change public opinion about a government policy both terrorist acts. No one is using it that way now, but all it takes is one lawyer to smell a loophole and you have a new Hollywood blacklist.

Anyway, I got this soma-laced email full of misinformation and double-talk assuring me that everything is OK from my Senator last week.

Thank you for contacting me regarding the Patriot Act. I appreciate hearing from you.

I share your concern that we need to safeguard our civil liberties when taking steps to keep our country safe. I believe that we can and should both fight the war on terror and protect our constitutional rights as American citizens. Many of the investigatory tools in the Patriot Act have been used for decades to fight organized crime and drug dealers, and have been reviewed and approved by the courts. The Patriot Act simply makes these same well-established law enforcement tools available to terrorism investigators. (Wrong, they were already available for terrorism and any act of foreign espionage. They just didn't use it effectively.)

For instance, some have expressed concern that the Patriot Act allows terrorism investigators to obtain library records. Ordinary grand juries for years have been able to gather records from libraries, bookstores, and other organizations as part of criminal investigations. The Patriot Act simply extends that tool to terrorism investigations. An important safeguard in this provision is that, before requesting such records, investigators must first receive permission from a federal judge to ensure that the request is proper under the law. (No, they don't. Any judge who is presented with this type of warrant is obligated to sign it even if they disagree with it. That is not checks and balances.)

Another provision in the Patriot Act allows courts, in certain narrow circumstances, to give delayed notice that a search warrant has been executed. This procedure is a well-established crime-fighting tool in organized crime and drug cases, and has been upheld by courts for decades. Such warrants always require a judge's approval, and allow investigators to conduct the search without tipping off the suspect. With careful consideration of these provisions and others in the Patriot Act, I am confident that we can give law enforcement the tools they need to fight and win the war on terror, while protecting our civil liberties as American citizens. (It was already available for use against terrorists. Why did it need to be extended to private citizens with no connection to terrorism?)

Thanks again for contacting me. Be assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind as Congress continues to debate the Patriot Act. Please keep in touch.

Kindest regards,

JOHN THUNE
United States Senator


I am beginning to find it convenient that something always gets blown up when something like this is struggling for support.

[a-mire.livejournal.com]

BTW, that's last I knew. I just spent three weeks pretty much out of society and the rest of the time in 15th century Italy, so myknowledge of current events is somewhat limited. *snicker*

[(Anonymous)]

Those bombings scared me so much, even more than I think they would have in another city of similar size/wealth. I think it's because in my mind, London (and Britain as a whole, actually) seems so perfect and...untouchable. I feel like once something happens to Britain, all hell has broken loose.
-me

[theladyrose.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean...I'm just glad that we're not in the other Cambridge right now after all that craziness. I'm going to see if my British friends are OK now...

[horosha.livejournal.com]

You need to get online so we can chat.