A collection is being taken up for a legal defense fund for Mr. Douglas who faces up to 6 months in jail for attempting to attend a demonstration outside of a speech given by Laura Bush on September 16th. If you would like to contribute, please make contributions at 'It's a Beautiful Day' on Broadway in Westport.

Specific charges?

Thank you for sharing this powerful account of your arrest experience.

I can only vouch for the fact that when he walked along the sidewalks at the Bush protest (9-4), Bill politely asked police where exactly he was permitted to walk, then fully complied with the restrictions.

Bill - what about taking your case to the ACLU? Sure seems like this would be appropriate.

What the fuck is happening. Are we falling down the rabbit hole?

I've been saying for some time that this entire Administration acts more like Soviet-style communists than Americans. This brand of "Republican" has always seen the Constitution, and the "people," as impediments to their goals. For some insight into those goals concerned Americans should visit The Project For the New American Century (PNAC) at www.newamericancentury.org. The chairman is William Kristol (AKA "William Kristol of the Weekly Standard," a self-proclaimed "American Imperialist"), and many of the people within the current ruling junta come from PNAC or are highly influenced by it.

John Ashcroft, on the other hand, seems to more influenced and control by the extreme christian fundamentalists, who hope one day to do for America what the Taliban did for Afghanistan: Change the form of government to a theocracy. While the news media, in general, prefers to play the part of "Pravda" to this new breed of Soviet-style communists, it left to the PEOPLE to stay on top of this and to remain educated and aware to what is happening to this great nation.

I leave you with a quote to ponder. It's from Sam Adams (in a letter published in 1771), via Nat Hentoff's new book, "The War on the Bill of Rights" (Seven Stories Press, NY):

"Our ship is in the hands of pilots who...are steering directly under full sail to a rock. The whole crew may see [this course to violate our liberties] in full view if they look the right way."

Thank you for your excellent article 'Behind the Iron Curtain.' It does frighten me. If only this would get better national coverage. I also want to thank you for being a true 'Patriot."
I need to make one more comment. Being of Irish ancestry please don't use the term "paddywagon". This is a derogatory term towards the Irish created by the Brahmins of Boston. They believed the police wagon was for "Paddy's" a not so nice term used to refer to the Irish. The correct term is a police wagon.
Again, thanks. See you in Washington!!!!!

It is very scary. Do these people know what they are doing?

I am shocked at reading your article. I may not sleep tonight or for any nights following this one. To think that the america that was taught to me in school civics classes, and that thousands upon thousands of americans died for in WWll is now and ever increasingly belongs to the past. I read people in political chat rooms who say what a wonderful country this is. I cannot respond to them as I am too heart sick to even day anything. Time was the american public would not sit still for even the talk of something like the patriot act. Now it would appear that they actually embrace it. Never for one moment thinking that they could actually be a victim of this completely unamerican piece of legislation. I hear people on these same chat rooms saying that so and so should be reported to the FBI, There are even those who say the have or will do just that very thing. Report a screen name to the authorities for a remark or comment that rubbed them the wrong way. Democracy and freedom requires incredible tolerance. Now we or they can't even tolerate something that one, annonymous person has to say. If you disagree or dislike something or someone then "lookout" you may just get monitored by the feds. Time was that your article and experience and what I am saying were things that you found in bizarre novels about horribly unamerican places like the now defunked Soviet Union. It could never be a part of american reality but now to deny that we are not living in that very "soviet" envoirnment that we once so decried, would be denying reality. I am heartsick and very angry but I'm afraid I'm more heartsick then I am angry. Now I just do not know what will happen to the america I once knew and once was very proud to be a part of. I'm very sorry you had to experience what you did. I can't say anymore then that other then I do keep my hope alive for this country to return to its once proud status of the absolute bastion of individual freedom.

The subject of taking back the media AND the allover important subject of straight vote counting are the essential fronts where we have to go to fight against the usurpers of power! Freedom of speech and protest MUST obviously remain part of our basic rights. Siv O'Neall, Lyon, France

Thank you for being brave and courageous. How to get the great bulk of the American public to wake up is the question? This is a dark time, thank you for speaking out.
Jane Nordli

Dear Mr. Douglas,
An excellant article and a frightening experience. Everytime I write an e-mail or post a comment on a website such as MoveOn I wonder if my comments are being read and if there will be a knock at my door.
I beleive our country is in a crisis as never seen before. Even counting the "McCarthy Era". And it appears to be going unchecked. The mass media particularly the tv news networks are not reporting these things.
On the internet we are talking about it. However, I see little in local newspapers.
God bless and God help us all if this continures

I admit that I found this story very shocking. Almost like something out of Orwell's "1984".

Chilling! But with low turnout now the norm on election day can we expect much-needed change? Those who should read such articles generally don't. Am I unduly pessimistic?

oh my god...yet another.

I have often said that our own people would enslave us, rather than communist hordes from central Europe overrunning us. Look at the Stasi: Germans spying on Germans and locking them up. Yes, it can, it IS happening here. Why would a policeman violate the Constitutional rights of a citizen? "because he's just doing his job". Do you think a Federal secret policeman from the DHS would hesitate to detain you if he thought you had the right to protest our involvement in the middle east, when he was under instructions to lock you up for awhile? He would do what he was told to do, and would leave his conscience at home. Don't depend on law enforcement people to uphold our constitutional rights; they won't. You should form or join a group that wants the (un)Patriot Act overturned.

A man in some country was recently taken, handcuffed, down into a subterranean interrogation room in the bowels of a police station and asked by a police investigator, "when I look into your writings will I find anything subversive?"

This sounds like something one might have heard coming out of the former Soviet Union. However, it wasn't. The country was America, the man was me, and the interrogation room was in the basement of the massive and imposing Kansas City Jail on 12th street (Tuesday, Sept 16th, 2003). (I'm a writer who's contributed to many publications worldwide, including the Kansas City Star, and the Kansas City Business Journal). This event emblazoned into my mind that something has drastically changed in my America . . . our America.

I had earlier been arrested for attempting to attend a protest of Laura Bush's visit in Kansas City. The arresting police officer "assumed" that I intended to cross a police line blocking Broadway near St. Lukes, that he'd told me could not be crossed. I did not cross the police line, nor did I intend to. I was crossing Washington Street to walk down an open street that was not restricted. But, because the officer "assumed" I was "intending" to cross the police line, which I wasn't, I was forced down on the ground, my hands handcuffed behind my back, forced into a paddywagon, handcuffed, and taken to the Kansas City jail. I was booked, according to the officer, for "Disorderly Conduct. (Or walking where I was ordered not to, which again I had not done)."

There I was fingerprinted and my mug shot was taken, but then something very strange occurred. The sign I brought with me to the protest was given a mug shot as well. I, along with many other Americans, have been working for some time to support the efforts of 9-11 victims families who bizarrely have had to fight their own President Bush for nearly two years to get a full open investigation of what went wrong on and before 9-11. (For example Bush is still fighting, preventing information such as the 28 redacted pages about the Saudi's possible involvement in 9-11, from being released for public scrutiny). My sign read, "What is Bush hiding about 9-11? Stop the 9-11 cover-up!"

Ask yourself this, "Why was my sign given a mugshot to record its message?" Was I under arrest for a legal violation? If so, what did a free speech message I was carrying that had no bearing whatsoever on the reason for my arrest have to do with this situation? Who was this photograph taken for, and for what purpose?

As I sat in the holding area, handcuffed, I was not told until just prior to my release that I would be released on my own recognizance. I sat pondering the dozens of people who have been sitting in American jails for many months now, some with no family contact, and some with no legal representation. Those thoughts give you pause, when you are handcuffed, then unhandcuffed, then handcuffed again and placed in a paddywagon on a steel seat in a wirecaged enclosed holding area, unloaded in a lower level of a massive building, then walked into a barred area, then unhandcuffed, then handcuffed again, then taken to an interrogation room in the bowels of a gray building completely cut off from the world and asked if your writing is "subversive," then unhandcuffed, then handcuffed again, and placed once again in a barred room.

Once in "the system" you immediately realize that you are completely isolated, and completely powerless. You depend on the basic foundations of democratic society . . . it is your only hope. In the "new Bush America" with the advent of the Patriot Act, that foundation no longer exists. The effect this has on society is it creates "a very shaken belief in one's right to do the things absolutely necessary to sustain a free and open society" that being to speak the truth as you see it even when the truth disagrees with your government. Without complete confidence that you have the right to do this without repressive consequences to be visited upon you . . . the free society we all love, cherish, and too often take for granted simply cannot exist.

You see, I have no idea who my mug shot, my protest signs mug shot, and the notes of whether someone deems my writing "subversive" is being recorded for. I'd understand my mugshot being in a KC police file for a "Disorderly Conduct" charge. But who is the other information for? Perhaps no one. I don’t know, and you don't know. But, you begin to see this would be a disturbing concept to ponder given I've accused the highest office in the nation of a cover-up. And when the holder of that office has told his Attorney General that he has the right to indefinitely hold people without legal representation for . . . well, for as long as he wants to, apparently.

In a way, I'm glad this happened to me, because it pushed my face into the corner so that I had to look at the dangers we are unleashing on our national consciousness with the "Patriot Act." Now, I can share my experience with you, and who knows, perhaps it will awaken in you a desire to bring our nation back to the guaranteed liberty we all hold dear.

I implore citizens across this nation to reject the ideas put forth in the "patriot act," that encourage citizens to spy on one another, or to allow law enforcement to peek at what we check out at the library, or what we buy at the bookstore, or what we email to one another . . . because our democratic system is at stake. The dangers of the Patriot Act don't lie as much in the actual indefinite internment of those Ashcroft deems to confine, but the danger lies in the "uncertainty" it places in the mind of every patriotic American who loves his/her country enough to correct it (which is our duty).

Bill Douglas is the author of "The Amateur Parent - A Book on Life, Death, War & Peace, and Everything Else in the Universe," and has written essays on health, environment, and peace and social justice issues for publications worldwide (none of them subversive, in the author's opinion).

"Protesters Feel Big Brother is Watching"
by Lewis Diuguid 11/19/03:
www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/7294444.htm

Yes, Bill's experience was very scary. I wonder if he said
to the police investigator "I want a lawyer and will say nothing until I can talk to one."

Of course he might not have gotten out on his own recognizance if he had insisted on his rights.

Dave C

"ANY COUNTRY WILLING TO GIVE UP A LITTLE OF IT'S CIVIL LIBERTIES FOR A LITTLE SECURITY DESERVES NEITHER"
THOMAS JEFFERSON, I THINK.

A question. Is this a legitimate story or is it a hoax. I only ask that because the nation printed this and gave this link.

the www.nation.com. "
The flip side of fake propaganda letters can be found in this essay by a man "recently taken, handcuffed, down into a subterranean interrogation room in the bowels of a police station and asked by a police investigator, 'When I look into your writings will I find anything subversive?' "

It gives the impression that "this essay" is a piece of propaganda. What gives?

I think the author gave enough details to confirm or deny this article fairly easy. It might also be nice to at least check the author's credentials before making accusations but that's just my opinion. Most of these type stories are very easy to verify or deny. The police records may even be available online.

This article made The Nation?
Found the Nation's website (thenation.com), but can someone please post the link to this story?

(Here is a photo of Bill and said sign from the Bush protest on September 4th in KC. It has been blurred because I felt like it. More photos of this event can be found in Media-Protest Activities).

#file_1#

as a retired law enforcement officer i say 3 things-the patriot act is a disaster to our civil rights and , as i am sure you have heard, " all that it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing" Finally, reference the " methodist apology " from wwII- they cme for the jews and i wasn't jewish so i didn't say anything.......

1984 get use to it

1984 get use to it

It is hard to believe that the most famous democracy in the world is becoming the first fascist regime of the 21st century; but our fascist government has decided that fear is the only way to seize control over the population. This administration scares you with threats of terrorist attacks, orange and red alerts, and turning dictators into imaginary monsters and demons capable of annihilating the human race. For those of us who refuse to live in fear and wish to enjoy the freedom this country has to offer, there is always censorship, repression, jail time, defamation and who knows what other dark means and ways to oppress dissent.
Only a fascist would say something like “you’re either with us or against us”, only a fascist would justify the use of force and violence to steal and expropriate the resources and assets of a sovereign country. Napoleon tried to rule the world in the 19th century, Hitler in the 20th century, Is it America’s turn to give it shot in the 21st century?
Is this administration really trying to rule the world, or are they just after the oil?
One thing I truly believe is that Fear Brings Out the Worst in People…

I think the story in the artcle,"Behind the Iron Curtain" is important and anyone with similiar experiences should be putting pen to paper and letting the public know. The patriot act, and the actions of the Bush administration againt the people of the U.S. and the world, should be strongly objected to and reversed.

For the past year my wife and I have searched for a news organization that would tell the truth. Fortunately, we have found 2. It seems to us that the news "organization" has become a huge, effective pawn of the Bush administration where Fox "News" is the defacto propaganda machine. I feel that we are on the verge of a new Nazi regime. The Patriot Act tells citizens that it's OK and GOOD to spy on their neighbors. Ashcroft can detain people for as long as HE feels necessary. While Bush takes care of his rich friends. I am truly scared.

The germs are always with us. Not sure even the evil ones do not have a purpose.. but .. without the balance of powers, and the draft to bring all Americans into harms ways in one manner or other, our country has lost the capacity to wisdom. Now we have only "talk" shows. We are the classic "soap opera". Your experience exposes the "germs". Or as Pogo said "I have met the enemy and he is US". The real problem, I think is our "servicable" intellectuals and other talents who have sold out. Perhaps we need to go after the yuuppies and sell-outs and point the finger at "us". We know. We with the high SATS, great educations, and "good life". Shame on us! And congradulations to you. You are the hope. Nice job-5*

The Nation's web site has a section called the "Daily Outrage". The link to this article was from the 10/13 article, found at: www.thenation.com/outrage/index.mhtml?bid=6

I find it humorous that many people are reacting as though the united states not caring about human rights is something new. This country is fundamentally flawed. If you read the federalist papers, you will find that the government does not care about people's basic rights nearly as much as their *property rights.* I find it especially humorous that people believe that things will change if we "just vote the right person in."
A. Even if they did change anything it would eventually get reverseed after they leave office.
B. No politician can ever give you freedom. Voting gives false hopes.

I think its time we search for something new.

Why are these incidents of citizens being arrested for exercising their 1st Amendment rights not being reported in the main stream media for everyone to see? This is not an isolated event and the right of the people to protest this Resident repressed by space limitations and the obscure placement of the protestors is unconstitutional. Where is the outrage?

This reminded me of the bad old days of apartheid here in South Africa when activists would jump out of there skins whenever they heard a loud, aggessive knocking on their doors, especially early in the morning and had to leave instructions with relatives and friends on feeding pets and paying accounts in case they were arrested and held without trial. It was solidarity, mutual support and maintaining contact with the ANC in exile that saw us through as well as having developed a sophisticated analysis of the situation which enabled us to see the economic vulnerability of the apartheid regime and develop a variety of tactics apart from the armed struggle to bring down apartheid. I am grateful that there are so many Americans who are prepared to put hemsleves on te line for the sake of their freedom, but I hope Americans will not mind my pointing out that the US has been an empire for a long time, which has undermined freedom in many countries, especially in Latin America. It has supported dictators who have created the conditions for corporations to exploit cheap labour, thereby undermining workers in the US itself and increasing inequality. This was bound to undermine your own democracy sooner or later. The empire is now more shameless than ever in forcing its agenda, especially its economic agenda, onto other countries. While at present our democracy is in better shape than yours, neo-liberal economics are increasing economic inequality and it is now the rich-poor divide which threatens our democracy.
So please, all you freedom loving Statesiders, get to know the history and the present state of US relations with third world countries, it may be painful, but you will be rewarded by seeing new possibilities for developing solidarity with and support from the third world. All strength to you.

I am a veteran. I proudly served my country during the 80s and 90s and fought in the first Gulf War. I had mixed feelings about the first war and had to keep telling myself that I was NOT fighting for oil. In any case, I am, and have been, adamantly opposed to the current war (no, it is NOT over) and the sick and twisted way that 9/11 has been twisted to serve unrelated and anti-Consitutional, anti-Bill of Rights ends by the current monsters in office. Your essay "Behind the Iron Curtain" sickens and angers me to a degree that I cannot express as it is still percolating in my gut.
This is NOT what I swore an oath to protect and defend. Nearly every move this administration has taken since entering office, merely accelerated since 9/11 because it is so convenient a political device, violates everything the USA is supposed to stand for. It all violates everything I swore to uphold. It makes a mockery of my service and the fine service of those men and women, who in good faith, are dealing with GW's mess in Iraq. They do not deserve to be used as tools for the political gains of a few at the expense of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The People do not deserve to be so ill-served by their political leaders.
I can only hope that this story, and any and all others like it, get diseminated widely and clearly. The People, on the whole, have had the wool pulled over their eyes and do not fully see, do not fully comprehend the danger We the People are in should we continue to follow the current path layed out before us by Bush and Co.

What the hell is going on in America?, when are Americans going to wake up and impeach this administration already?I am getting tired of hearing stories such as this. Since when is excercising your freedoms of speech a crime? This administration must be stopped before it is too late.

The same is happening in Panama. The police, military and secret police are being merged acting as military in police operations. The criminalization of youth and unemployed and prison industries, just like the USA....check out California Prison industries products and services with prison labor!!!!!

This article is a bit deficient in facts. Such as: who asked about Bill's writings? Kansas City PD? FBI? Or (most frightening) unidentified government spook? What was Bill's reply? I'd like to know if there was more of this exchange than reported. Above all, for everyone who, like me, read this article with a chill down their spine, I have a one word, four letter response to the specter of a fascist style police state enforcing "patriotism": VOTE. Always. Everty time you can. VOTE, and take three people who usually don't vote with you. Florida 2000 notwithstanding, it's the one force they cannot stop.

If you want to stop this "Tune in, Turn on and Vote Bush Out www.alasbabylon.com

After Abba pulled me out of the sheltered world of radio/Tv broadcasting in 1996 and placed me into a big rig driving across America hauling freight; I soon had my first taste of the fascism that in now becoming the 'norm' today. On a couple of occasions at surprise roadside checkpoints (shadows of the future) I was confronted by DOT officers and ordered to hand over my driver's logbook. I refused on those occasions on the grounds that I reserved both my 4th and 5th Amendment Rights and by producing my logbook I would in effect be 'waiving' those rights and anything in that logbook could be used as 'prima facie' evidence against me. In both instances, I was deemed 'guilty' by the DOT (state officers), made to feel that I was hiding something; even though my logbook was accurate and up to date in both instances. I was placed 'out of service' for eight hours (not allowed to work) and fined for reserving my G-d given rights. Rights that are supposed to be the law of the land and we're drafted into positive law, are unalienable and inalienable and are supposed to belong to me til the day I die simply by virtue of my birth? For me, both of these and much more that I had encountered we're realtime visions of the future, a future that has obviously passed into the present.

This is not the first time I have heard stories like this and, it is frightening! As a flower child of the '70s this is not the worlk I envisioned lining in by the 21st century. The radical right-wing have hijacked American politics with the help of the Christian coalition who have, in turn hijacked Christianity promoting divisiveness, fear, and bigotry. They promote class, race, and economic warfare, destroying those who disagree through media control. It is up to us as citizens to get our country back before it is too late. We need to vote, and vote with strength, while we still have that option. My apathetic acquaintences (who haven't had a raise in years) think that I'm either a doomsayer or crazy, but the truth is: Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that you don't glean the truth!

Why is it that every time there is domestic repression people feel the need to make comparisons to communism or to the Soviet Union? The US has had a long history of repression, at times brutal but consistently political in nature. This phenomenon started in 1492 but has remained in force. Consider: the bloody repression of labor in the 19th century; the Palmer Raids; McCarthyism; Wounded Knee; Attica; CointelPro and so on. The comparisons to communism are absurd: This is homeland repression, American style.

(Pardon: the note above was written in reference to the comments, not the title of Bill's article).

The same thing happened in germany under hitler,the people that practiced free speech and exposed the government under hitler was killed,tortured and in concentration camps. The U.S.A. PATRIOT ACT is similar to the laws that hitler passed in germany

How come no one here bothers to cite specific objections to the Patriot Act? Are there elements you can name that deprive you of your civil rights? Do you know the intrusive rights government had before 9/11? It is not enough to wail against the Bush administration and assume your self-righteousness is an adequate substitute for facts. As a strong Bush supporter, I am less afraid of an occasional abridgement of my civil rights in a time of war than I am of Americans who refuse to offer an alternative to the way this administration fights terrorism. Either offer some specifics and tell us what you'd do, or shut the hell up.

"Afraid", here's a specific objection: the power to suspend the warrant requirement. The Fourth Amendment is designed to protect us from unreasonable searches and seizures. Or what about the fact that the US Constitution has been interpreted by the Supreme Court as protecting "persons" not the more narrow category of "citizens." Recent "anti-terrorism" legislation, however, allows for special treatment of non-citizens as essentially exempt from the incorporated Amendments to the Constitution.

You want alternatives? How about a move away from an arrogant policy of "America first" and a cessation in the interference of other nations' affairs. Only then will attacks on the US cease.

After reading this article, I am really appoled as to what is going on. It down right pisses me off! What, we're not allowed to speak our minds? We don't have a bill of rights and constitution under NEW legislation. We're not allowed to check out books from the library that may be offensive to the government. That's a bunch of crap. They don't want us to research anything. They just want us all to give in and be a bunch of droans. I hate evil. It's a never ending battle until the truth can be revealed for all to see.

2003 10 14

Quit your groveling!!! We live in a police state and have for years. Most of you are just becoming aware of the state of desperation that we are in. Our jobs are being exterminated faster that the mountain gorillas. Illegals are pouring into the country from the 2nd and 3rd world who absolutely hate us. International bankers, completely unconstutional, control the monetary system. Executive orders equal a king's decree. My advice to you is purchase: firearms (.308 caliber), ammo, food, water filters, medicines, Gold and Silver. If you wait on this one you will loose in a big way. Why do you purchase insurance? Maybe you like to read all of the legal mumbo jumbo!! No, you purchase it JUST IN CASE!!!!! Read your Constitution and Bill of Rights and become informed. Become a fully informed jurist. Go to www.infowars.com and www.americanpatrol.com www.fija.org . You ask why or how did this happen? You stupid person, if you won't protect the innocent and unborn why should the government give quarter to YOU?

Ron

I dont believe this is fightable. Im not religious but I believe the revelations.

SIC SEMPER TYRANNUS!!!!

Powerful story.

Keep up the activism and honest journalism.

Those of us at least partly outside the Matrix appreciate it.

After reading all these comments I find it rather sad that nobody mentions the only political force which stands diametrically opposed to big brother and the ever-increasing tyranny that we face in America. That being America's largest 3rd party, the Libertarian Party (www.lp.org). They stand for the Constitution. They stand for the Bill of Rights. They stand for individual freedom and liberty. They stand against big brother and the power corruption that results from big government. They stand agaisnt the USA Patriot Act. They want to shrink the government down to Constitution size. Nearly everything the government is doing is unconstitutional and the Libertarian Party opposes it all. So please, if you want to fight this tyranny join the Libertarian Party, join the national and state party, register to vote as a Libertarian (if allowed in your state), vote for Libertarians running for office, donate any money you can afford to - this is the only way they are funded - they don't use taxpayers money to fund their campaigning like the Republicans, Democrats and even the Green Party does. Read their news articles at www.lp.org to see the things they are doing to advance individual liberty. They are the party of principle, every stance they have on the various issues are in accord with the simple Libertarian principles of individual liberty. They are on the front lines fighting for freedom. Good luck to my fellow freedom fighters! Never give up the fight, never give up hope! This is an eternal battle we are fighting; "the price of freedom is eternal vigilance" (Thomas Jefferson)

Here is the quote somebody above mentioned posting on here:

"In Germany they came first for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for Catholics, and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up." - Martin Neimoller, who reflected upon Germany’s fall to the Nazis

two things.

first fuck the libertarian party. They try to get into liberal politics with their talk of lower regulation but it is a sham. They believe in the classical model of economics which is pre great depression. Summing it up, it believes in letting capitalism govern itself with no outside regulation. Therefor business would set minumum wages, whatever environmental laws they want to follow, and how much they give back to the community. They hold property rights as the main god-given rights.

Second, yes bush is bad. But look at democrates in the past. I remember when clinton was running liberals believed if he was elected everything would be a lot better. What did we get? Kosovo and NAFTA. What did we get with bush? Qar on terrorism and (hopefully not) the FTAA.

Voting "the right person in" can only slow down the rate in which this country is heading own the drain. It cannot stop it. I think realistically we all know this. But are just afraid to admit that we need to be advocating something more.

This reads like a load of leftist propaganda. I would love to hear the arresting officer's point of view. Remember, Douglas posted the article "It is a good time to be an anarchist" on his loony website.
I'm GLAD he got arrested.

Re: Comment by Libertarian Freedom Fighter
The Constitution Party (www.constitutionparty.com or www.constitutionparty.org) is better. They believe our Constitutional Rights are God-given, Biblical Rights that NO ONE can take away!

Re: Comment by Libertarian Freedom Fighter
The Constitution Party (www.constitutionparty.com or www.constitutionparty.org) is better. They believe our Constitutional Rights are God-given, Biblical Rights that NO ONE can take away!

two things.

first fuck the libertarian party. They try to get into liberal politics with their talk of lower regulation but it is a sham. They believe in the classical model of economics which is pre great depression. Summing it up, it believes in letting capitalism govern itself with no outside regulation. Therefor business would set minumum wages, whatever environmental laws they want to follow, and how much they give back to the community. They hold property rights as the main god-given rights.

Second, yes bush is bad. But look at democrates in the past. I remember when clinton was running liberals believed if he was elected everything would be a lot better. What did we get? Kosovo and NAFTA. What did we get with bush? Qar on terrorism and (hopefully not) the FTAA.

Voting "the right person in" can only slow down the rate in which this country is heading own the drain. It cannot stop it. I think realistically we all know this. But are just afraid to admit that we need to be advocating something more.

Unfortunately this case follows a very disturbing nationwide trend. This occurs more often than most people know. I hope this article provokes people into evaluating the role of government in their lives.

First of all not surprised by what happened here. It's what we have under USA Patriot act.
NOW for the person who told us to shut up about the Patriot Act unless we could site specifics. Bubba that act is all about confusing all of us. Almost no one who voted for it could possibly have read thru the whole thing before they cast their vote. It modifies so many pieces of existing legislation that it will take legal scholars years to unravel it all. Which it was designed to do. When the Crisco freak tells us to read he knows for a fact it can't be read it's not a law like any other. It's a series of references and modifications of other laws. THESE FOLKS DON'T CARE ABOUT WE THE PEOPLE THEY HOLD US IN CONTEMPT. THEY WOULD JUST AS SOON SEE MOST OF US DEAD OR ROTTING IN PRISON CAMPS.
Sorry but this makes me incredibly angry. I and saddened that the greatest nation on earth has been reduced to a defacto dictatorship ruled by a junta.

I had a similar experience pre 9/11. I was being harassed by a Birmingham, AL Police officer and after about 10 minutes of his rambling to others about an offense that he mistakenly thought was me, I kindly asked him to leave me alone. I was immediately put in handcuffs and detained for 10 hours in the Birmingham City Jail. Ironically, the same guy that actually carried out the offense in question had spilled beer on my left leg so I did smell of alcohol but I was not intoxicated. When I was being booked I pleaded with the officers to perform a breath test but since I was obviously not intoxicated, I was denied upon each request.

On top of that, at the time I was on medication that must be taken on a strict schedule and my requests for the medicine were ignored.

I firmly believe that if a majority of people in this country could feel the desperation that one feels after being locked up in jail for a crime they did not commit, they would understand just how important it is to have contact with a lawyer or family members after detainment.

In the end, I went to court and the judge would not even hear the case. He just demanded that I leave the courtroom and said the charges were dropped. The only question he asked was my name. It is sad that officials give the police the power to detain someone against their will when they have broken no laws at all.

If everyone could experience this firsthand, they would understand why some people are afraid to give more rights to agencies that have already taken too many rights away from us already.

Very direct, factual and courageous. What could he possibly be charged with. Is this another case of the police lying and swearing behind their lies to attempt a charge and conviction so they are not sued for false arrest?

well said, Plate.

It is horrifying that the Democrats have cooperated with the insane Republican policies of the last couple years. It will be extremely hard to vote for ANY pathetic politician who supported the 'preemptive' Iraq attack, as well as most of the other Bush neocon agenda.

I have concluded that the ultimate goal is to bankrupt and destroy America. Since the Republicans own the (unverifiadble) voting machines, the mainstream media, and the Democrats, the options for our "representation" are obviously limited.

"They try to get into liberal politics
['Liberal' and 'conservative' are the two sides of the false political paradigm we've been force-fed since birth. The real paradigm has always been the individuals vs. the collective, hence "the tyranny of the majority". We don't have two distinct political parties but one.]

with their talk of lower regulation but it is a sham. They believe in the classical model of economics which is pre great depression. Summing it up, it believes in letting capitalism govern itself with no outside regulation. Therefor business would set minumum wages, whatever environmental laws they want to follow, and how much they give back to the community. They hold property rights as the main god-given rights."

What's wrong with any of that? It isn't a sham, it's a little thing called FREEDOM--Libertarians believe in it. Nobel Prize winning economist, Milton Friedman, has proven beyond any reasonable doubt that the great depression was caused by the Federal Reserve. FDR was set up as a great champion of the common man but in reality was nothing more than a puppet of tyrants. Secret societies have always wielded great power...fools that ignore facts and reality can poke fun, but the fact is that the Illuminati is in charge--it's simply a historical fact, well documented and totally believable to those who've actually taken the time to look into it rather than beliving the lies of the utterly controlled big six media conglomerates (which are actually controlled from above making them the 'Big One' rather than six).

The only hope we've got now is restorative revolution at some point in the future. After an intensive infowar, i.e., spreading the word about our totally corrupted illegitimate government system that began its insipid rise to infamy in 1913 and which effectively took control of our once great nation from 1929-33.

It's like the committees of correspondence before the revolutionary war. The Power Elite won't back down in any case but deprogramming the masses is imperative.

Here's a HR-3162 cheat sheet. Happy reading


--H.R.3162--
H.R.3162
One Hundred Seventh Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE FIRST SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,
the third day of January, two thousand and one
An Act
To deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world, to enhance law enforcement investigatory tools, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) SHORT TITLE- This Act may be cited as the `Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001'.
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS- The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Construction; severability.
TITLE I--ENHANCING DOMESTIC SECURITY AGAINST TERRORISM
Sec. 101. Counterterrorism fund.
Sec. 102. Sense of Congress condemning discrimination against Arab and Muslim Americans.
Sec. 103. Increased funding for the technical support center at the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Sec. 104. Requests for military assistance to enforce prohibition in certain emergencies.
Sec. 105. Expansion of National Electronic Crime Task Force Initiative.
Sec. 106. Presidential authority.
TITLE II--ENHANCED SURVEILLANCE PROCEDURES
Sec. 201. Authority to intercept wire, oral, and electronic communications relating to terrorism.
Sec. 202. Authority to intercept wire, oral, and electronic communications relating to computer fraud and abuse offenses.
Sec. 203. Authority to share criminal investigative information.
Sec. 204. Clarification of intelligence exceptions from limitations on interception and disclosure of wire, oral, and electronic communications.
Sec. 205. Employment of translators by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Sec. 206. Roving surveillance authority under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978.
Sec. 207. Duration of FISA surveillance of non-United States persons who are agents of a foreign power.
Sec. 208. Designation of judges.
Sec. 209. Seizure of voice-mail messages pursuant to warrants.
Sec. 210. Scope of subpoenas for records of electronic communications.
Sec. 211. Clarification of scope.
Sec. 212. Emergency disclosure of electronic communications to protect life and limb.
Sec. 213. Authority for delaying notice of the execution of a warrant.
Sec. 214. Pen register and trap and trace authority under FISA.
Sec. 215. Access to records and other items under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Sec. 216. Modification of authorities relating to use of pen registers and trap and trace devices.
Sec. 217. Interception of computer trespasser communications.
Sec. 218. Foreign intelligence information.
Sec. 219. Single-jurisdiction search warrants for terrorism.
Sec. 220. Nationwide service of search warrants for electronic evidence.
Sec. 221. Trade sanctions.
Sec. 222. Assistance to law enforcement agencies.
Sec. 223. Civil liability for certain unauthorized disclosures.
Sec. 224. Sunset.
Sec. 225. Immunity for compliance with FISA wiretap.
TITLE III--INTERNATIONAL MONEY LAUNDERING ABATEMENT AND ANTI-TERRORIST FINANCING ACT OF 2001
Sec. 301. Short title.
Sec. 302. Findings and purposes.
Sec. 303. 4-year congressional review; expedited consideration.
Subtitle A--International Counter Money Laundering and Related Measures
Sec. 311. Special measures for jurisdictions, financial institutions, or international transactions of primary money laundering concern.
Sec. 312. Special due diligence for correspondent accounts and private banking accounts.
Sec. 313. Prohibition on United States correspondent accounts with foreign shell banks.
Sec. 314. Cooperative efforts to deter money laundering.
Sec. 315. Inclusion of foreign corruption offenses as money laundering crimes.
Sec. 316. Anti-terrorist forfeiture protection.
Sec. 317. Long-arm jurisdiction over foreign money launderers.
Sec. 318. Laundering money through a foreign bank.
Sec. 319. Forfeiture of funds in United States interbank accounts.
Sec. 320. Proceeds of foreign crimes.
Sec. 321. Financial institutions specified in subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 31, United States code.
Sec. 322. Corporation represented by a fugitive.
Sec. 323. Enforcement of foreign judgments.
Sec. 324. Report and recommendation.
Sec. 325. Concentration accounts at financial institutions.
Sec. 326. Verification of identification.
Sec. 327. Consideration of anti-money laundering record.
Sec. 328. International cooperation on identification of originators of wire transfers.
Sec. 329. Criminal penalties.
Sec. 330. International cooperation in investigations of money laundering, financial crimes, and the finances of terrorist groups.
Subtitle B--Bank Secrecy Act Amendments and Related Improvements
Sec. 351. Amendments relating to reporting of suspicious activities.
Sec. 352. Anti-money laundering programs.
Sec. 353. Penalties for violations of geographic targeting orders and certain recordkeeping requirements, and lengthening effective period of geographic targeting orders.
Sec. 354. Anti-money laundering strategy.
Sec. 355. Authorization to include suspicions of illegal activity in written employment references.
Sec. 356. Reporting of suspicious activities by securities brokers and dealers; investment company study.
Sec. 357. Special report on administration of bank secrecy provisions.
Sec. 358. Bank secrecy provisions and activities of United States intelligence agencies to fight international terrorism.
Sec. 359. Reporting of suspicious activities by underground banking systems.
Sec. 360. Use of authority of United States Executive Directors.
Sec. 361. Financial crimes enforcement network.
Sec. 362. Establishment of highly secure network.
Sec. 363. Increase in civil and criminal penalties for money laundering.
Sec. 364. Uniform protection authority for Federal Reserve facilities.
Sec. 365. Reports relating to coins and currency received in nonfinancial trade or business.
Sec. 366. Efficient use of currency transaction report system.
Subtitle C--Currency Crimes and Protection
Sec. 371. Bulk cash smuggling into or out of the United States.
Sec. 372. Forfeiture in currency reporting cases.
Sec. 373. Illegal money transmitting businesses.
Sec. 374. Counterfeiting domestic currency and obligations.
Sec. 375. Counterfeiting foreign currency and obligations.
Sec. 376. Laundering the proceeds of terrorism.
Sec. 377. Extraterritorial jurisdiction.
TITLE IV--PROTECTING THE BORDER
Subtitle A--Protecting the Northern Border
Sec. 401. Ensuring adequate personnel on the northern border.
Sec. 402. Northern border personnel.
Sec. 403. Access by the Department of State and the INS to certain identifying information in the criminal history records of visa applicants and applicants for admission to the United States.
Sec. 404. Limited authority to pay overtime.
Sec. 405. Report on the integrated automated fingerprint identification system for ports of entry and overseas consular posts.
Subtitle B--Enhanced Immigration Provisions
Sec. 411. Definitions relating to terrorism.
Sec. 412. Mandatory detention of suspected terrorists; habeas corpus; judicial review.
Sec. 413. Multilateral cooperation against terrorists.
Sec. 414. Visa integrity and security.
Sec. 415. Participation of Office of Homeland Security on Entry-Exit Task Force.
Sec. 416. Foreign student monitoring program.
Sec. 417. Machine readable passports.
Sec. 418. Prevention of consulate shopping.
Subtitle C--Preservation of Immigration Benefits for Victims of Terrorism
Sec. 421. Special immigrant status.
Sec. 422. Extension of filing or reentry deadlines.
Sec. 423. Humanitarian relief for certain surviving spouses and children.
Sec. 424. `Age-out' protection for children.
Sec. 425. Temporary administrative relief.
Sec. 426. Evidence of death, disability, or loss of employment.
Sec. 427. No benefits to terrorists or family members of terrorists.
Sec. 428. Definitions.
TITLE V--REMOVING OBSTACLES TO INVESTIGATING TERRORISM
Sec. 501. Attorney General's authority to pay rewards to combat terrorism.
Sec. 502. Secretary of State's authority to pay rewards.
Sec. 503. DNA identification of terrorists and other violent offenders.
Sec. 504. Coordination with law enforcement.
Sec. 505. Miscellaneous national security authorities.
Sec. 506. Extension of Secret Service jurisdiction.
Sec. 507. Disclosure of educational records.
Sec. 508. Disclosure of information from NCES surveys.
TITLE VI--PROVIDING FOR VICTIMS OF TERRORISM, PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS, AND THEIR FAMILIES
Subtitle A--Aid to Families of Public Safety Officers
Sec. 611. Expedited payment for public safety officers involved in the prevention, investigation, rescue, or recovery efforts related to a terrorist attack.
Sec. 612. Technical correction with respect to expedited payments for heroic public safety officers.
Sec. 613. Public safety officers benefit program payment increase.
Sec. 614. Office of Justice programs.
Subtitle B--Amendments to the Victims of Crime Act of 1984
Sec. 621. Crime victims fund.
Sec. 622. Crime victim compensation.
Sec. 623. Crime victim assistance.
Sec. 624. Victims of terrorism.
TITLE VII--INCREASED INFORMATION SHARING FOR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION
Sec. 701. Expansion of regional information sharing system to facilitate Federal-State-local law enforcement response related to terrorist attacks.
TITLE VIII--STRENGTHENING THE CRIMINAL LAWS AGAINST TERRORISM
Sec. 801. Terrorist attacks and other acts of violence against mass transportation systems.
Sec. 802. Definition of domestic terrorism.
Sec. 803. Prohibition against harboring terrorists.
Sec. 804. Jurisdiction over crimes committed at U.S. facilities abroad.
Sec. 805. Material support for terrorism.
Sec. 806. Assets of terrorist organizations.
Sec. 807. Technical clarification relating to provision of material support to terrorism.
Sec. 808. Definition of Federal crime of terrorism.
Sec. 809. No statute of limitation for certain terrorism offenses.
Sec. 810. Alternate maximum penalties for terrorism offenses.
Sec. 811. Penalties for terrorist conspiracies.
Sec. 812. Post-release supervision of terrorists.
Sec. 813. Inclusion of acts of terrorism as racketeering activity.
Sec. 814. Deterrence and prevention of cyberterrorism.
Sec. 815. Additional defense to civil actions relating to preserving records in response to Government requests.
Sec. 816. Development and support of cybersecurity forensic capabilities.
Sec. 817. Expansion of the biological weapons statute.
TITLE IX--IMPROVED INTELLIGENCE
Sec. 901. Responsibilities of Director of Central Intelligence regarding foreign intelligence collected under Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978.
Sec. 902. Inclusion of international terrorist activities within scope of foreign intelligence under National Security Act of 1947.
Sec. 903. Sense of Congress on the establishment and maintenance of intelligence relationships to acquire information on terrorists and terrorist organizations.
Sec. 904. Temporary authority to defer submittal to Congress of reports on intelligence and intelligence-related matters.
Sec. 905. Disclosure to Director of Central Intelligence of foreign intelligence-related information with respect to criminal investigations.
Sec. 906. Foreign terrorist asset tracking center.
Sec. 907. National Virtual Translation Center.
Sec. 908. Training of government officials regarding identification and use of foreign intelligence.
TITLE X--MISCELLANEOUS
Sec. 1001. Review of the department of justice.
Sec. 1002. Sense of congress.
Sec. 1003. Definition of `electronic surveillance'.
Sec. 1004. Venue in money laundering cases.
Sec. 1005. First responders assistance act.
Sec. 1006. Inadmissibility of aliens engaged in money laundering.
Sec. 1007. Authorization of funds for dea police training in south and central asia.
Sec. 1008. Feasibility study on use of biometric identifier scanning system with access to the fbi integrated automated fingerprint identification system at overseas consular posts and points of entry to the United States.
Sec. 1009. Study of access.
Sec. 1010. Temporary authority to contract with local and State governments for performance of security functions at United States military installations.
Sec. 1011. Crimes against charitable americans.
Sec. 1012. Limitation on issuance of hazmat licenses.
Sec. 1013. Expressing the sense of the senate concerning the provision of funding for bioterrorism preparedness and response.
Sec. 1014. Grant program for State and local domestic preparedness support.
Sec. 1015. Expansion and reauthorization of the crime identification technology act for antiterrorism grants to States and localities.
Sec. 1016. Critical infrastructures protection.
SEC. 2. CONSTRUCTION; SEVERABILITY.
Any provision of this Act held to be invalid or unenforceable by its terms, or as applied to any person or circumstance, shall be construed so as to give it the maximum effect permitted by law, unless such holding shall be one of utter invalidity or unenforceability, in which event such provision shall be deemed severable from this Act and shall not affect the remainder thereof or the application of such provision to other persons not similarly situated or to other, dissimilar circumstances.
TITLE I--ENHANCING DOMESTIC SECURITY AGAINST TERRORISM
SEC. 101. COUNTERTERRORISM FUND.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT; AVAILABILITY- There is hereby established in the Treasury of the United States a separate fund to be known as the `Counterterrorism Fund', amounts in which shall remain available without fiscal year limitation--
(1) to reimburse any Department of Justice component for any costs incurred in connection with--
(A) reestablishing the operational capability of an office or facility that has been damaged or destroyed as the result of any domestic or international terrorism incident;
(B) providing support to counter, investigate, or prosecute domestic or international terrorism, including, without limitation, paying rewards in connection with these activities; and
(C) conducting terrorism threat assessments of Federal agencies and their facilities; and
(2) to reimburse any department or agency of the Federal Government for any costs incurred in connection with detaining in foreign countries individuals accused of acts of terrorism that violate the laws of the United States.
(b) NO EFFECT ON PRIOR APPROPRIATIONS- Subsection (a) shall not be construed to affect the amount or availability of any appropriation to the Counterterrorism Fund made before the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 102. SENSE OF CONGRESS CONDEMNING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ARAB AND MUSLIM AMERICANS.
(a) FINDINGS- Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Arab Americans, Muslim Americans, and Americans from South Asia play a vital role in our Nation and are entitled to nothing less than the full rights of every American.
(2) The acts of violence that have been taken against Arab and Muslim Americans since the September 11, 2001, attacks against the United States should be and are condemned by all Americans who value freedom.
(3) The concept of individual responsibility for wrongdoing is sacrosanct in American society, and applies equally to all religious, racial, and ethnic groups.
(4) When American citizens commit acts of violence against those who are, or are perceived to be, of Arab or Muslim descent, they should be punished to the full extent of the law.
(5) Muslim Americans have become so fearful of harassment that many Muslim women are changing the way they dress to avoid becoming targets.
(6) Many Arab Americans and Muslim Americans have acted heroically during the attacks on the United States, including Mohammed Salman Hamdani, a 23-year-old New Yorker of Pakistani descent, who is believed to have gone to the World Trade Center to offer rescue assistance and is now missing.
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS- It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the civil rights and civil liberties of all Americans, including Arab Americans, Muslim Americans, and Americans from South Asia, must be protected, and that every effort must be taken to preserve their safety;
(2) any acts of violence or discrimination against any Americans be condemned; and
(3) the Nation is called upon to recognize the patriotism of fellow citizens from all ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds.
SEC. 103. INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTER AT THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION.
There are authorized to be appropriated for the Technical Support Center established in section 811 of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-132) to help meet the demands for activities to combat terrorism and support and enhance the technical support and tactical operations of the FBI, $200,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2002, 2003, and 2004.
SEC. 104. REQUESTS FOR MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO ENFORCE PROHIBITION IN CERTAIN EMERGENCIES.
Section 2332e of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking `2332c' and inserting `2332a'; and
(2) by striking `chemical'.
SEC. 105. EXPANSION OF NATIONAL ELECTRONIC CRIME TASK FORCE INITIATIVE.
The Director of the United States Secret Service shall take appropriate actions to develop a national network of electronic crime task forces, based on the New York Electronic Crimes Task Force model, throughout the United States, for the purpose of preventing, detecting, and investigating various forms of electronic crimes, including potential terrorist attacks against critical infrastructure and financial payment systems.
SEC. 106. PRESIDENTIAL AUTHORITY.
Section 203 of the International Emergency Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1)--
(A) at the end of subparagraph (A) (flush to that subparagraph), by striking `; and' and inserting a comma and the following:
`by any person, or with respect to any property, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States;';
(B) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) by inserting `, block during the pendency of an investigation' after `investigate'; and
(ii) by striking `interest;' and inserting `interest by any person, or with respect to any property, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; and';
(C) by striking `by any person, or with respect to any property, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States`; and
(D) by inserting at the end the following:
`(C) when the United States is engaged in armed hostilities or has been attacked by a foreign country or foreign nationals, confiscate any property, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, of any foreign person, foreign organization, or foreign country that he determines has planned, authorized, aided, or engaged in such hostilities or attacks against the United States; and all right, title, and interest in any property so confiscated shall vest, when, as, and upon the terms directed by the President, in such agency or person as the President may designate from time to time, and upon such terms and conditions as the President may prescribe, such interest or property shall be held, used, administered, liquidated, sold, or otherwise dealt with in the interest of and for the benefit of the United States, and such designated agency or person may perform any and all acts incident to the accomplishment or furtherance of these purposes.'; and
(2) by inserting at the end the following:
`(c) CLASSIFIED INFORMATION- In any judicial review of a determination made under this section, if the determination was based on classified information (as defined in section 1(a) of the Classified Information Procedures Act) such information may be submitted to the reviewing court ex parte and in camera. This subsection does not confer or imply any right to judicial review.'.
TITLE II--ENHANCED SURVEILLANCE PROCEDURES
SEC. 201. AUTHORITY TO INTERCEPT WIRE, ORAL, AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO TERRORISM.
Section 2516(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (p), as so redesignated by section 434(2) of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-132; 110 Stat. 1274), as paragraph (r); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (p), as so redesignated by section 201(3) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (division C of Public Law 104-208; 110 Stat. 3009-565), the following new paragraph:
`(q) any criminal violation of section 229 (relating to chemical weapons); or sections 2332, 2332a, 2332b, 2332d, 2339A, or 2339B of this title (relating to terrorism); or'.
SEC. 202. AUTHORITY TO INTERCEPT WIRE, ORAL, AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO COMPUTER FRAUD AND ABUSE OFFENSES.
Section 2516(1)(c) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking `and section 1341 (relating to mail fraud),' and inserting `section 1341 (relating to mail fraud), a felony violation of section 1030 (relating to computer fraud and abuse),'.
SEC. 203. AUTHORITY TO SHARE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION.
(a) AUTHORITY TO SHARE GRAND JURY INFORMATION-
(1) IN GENERAL- Rule 6(e)(3)(C) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure is amended to read as follows:
`(C)(i) Disclosure otherwise prohibited by this rule of matters occurring before the grand jury may also be made--
`(I) when so directed by a court preliminarily to or in connection with a judicial proceeding;
`(II) when permitted by a court at the request of the defendant, upon a showing that grounds may exist for a motion to dismiss the indictment because of matters occurring before the grand jury;
`(III) when the disclosure is made by an attorney for the government to another Federal grand jury;
`(IV) when permitted by a court at the request of an attorney for the government, upon a showing that such matters may disclose a violation of State criminal law, to an appropriate official of a State or subdivision of a State for the purpose of enforcing such law; or
`(V) when the matters involve foreign intelligence or counterintelligence (as defined in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 401a)), or foreign intelligence information (as defined in clause (iv) of this subparagraph), to any Federal law enforcement, intelligence, protective, immigration, national defense, or national security official in order to assist the official receiving that information in the performance of his official duties.
`(ii) If the court orders disclosure of matters occurring before the grand jury, the disclosure shall be made in such manner, at such time, and under such conditions as the court may direct.
`(iii) Any Federal official to whom information is disclosed pursuant to clause (i)(V) of this subparagraph may use that information only as necessary in the conduct of that person's official duties subject to any limitations on the unauthorized disclosure of such information. Within a reasonable time after such disclosure, an attorney for the government shall file under seal a notice with the court stating the fact that such information was disclosed and the departments, agencies, or entities to which the disclosure was made.
`(iv) In clause (i)(V) of this subparagraph, the term `foreign intelligence information' means--
`(I) information, whether or not concerning a United States person, that relates to the ability of the United States to protect against--
`(aa) actual or potential attack or other grave hostile acts of a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power;
`(bb) sabotage or international terrorism by a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power; or
`(cc) clandestine intelligence activities by an intelligence service or network of a foreign power or by an agent of foreign power; or
`(II) information, whether or not concerning a United States person, with respect to a foreign power or foreign territory that relates to--
`(aa) the national defense or the security of the United States; or
`(bb) the conduct of the foreign affairs of the United States.'.
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Rule 6(e)(3)(D) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure is amended by striking `(e)(3)(C)(i)' and inserting `(e)(3)(C)(i)(I)'.
(b) AUTHORITY TO SHARE ELECTRONIC, WIRE, AND ORAL INTERCEPTION INFORMATION-
(1) LAW ENFORCEMENT- Section 2517 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting at the end the following:
`(6) Any investigative or law enforcement officer, or attorney for the Government, who by any means authorized by this chapter, has obtained knowledge of the contents of any wire, oral, or electronic communication, or evidence derived therefrom, may disclose such contents to any other Federal law enforcement, intelligence, protective, immigration, national defense, or national security official to the extent that such contents include foreign intelligence or counterintelligence (as defined in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 401a)), or foreign intelligence information (as defined in subsection (19) of section 2510 of this title), to assist the official who is to receive that information in the performance of his official duties. Any Federal official who receives information pursuant to this provision may use that information only as necessary in the conduct of that person's official duties subject to any limitations on the unauthorized disclosure of such information.'.
(2) DEFINITION- Section 2510 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by--
(A) in paragraph (17), by striking `and' after the semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (18), by striking the period and inserting `; and'; and
(C) by inserting at the end the following:
`(19) `foreign intelligence information' means--
`(A) information, whether or not concerning a United States person, that relates to the ability of the United States to protect against--
`(i) actual or potential attack or other grave hostile acts of a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power;
`(ii) sabotage or international terrorism by a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power; or
`(iii) clandestine intelligence activities by an intelligence service or network of a foreign power or by an agent of a foreign power; or
`(B) information, whether or not concerning a United States person, with respect to a foreign power or foreign territory that relates to--
`(i) the national defense or the security of the United States; or
`(ii) the conduct of the foreign affairs of the United States.'.
(c) PROCEDURES- The Attorney General shall establish procedures for the disclosure of information pursuant to section 2517(6) and Rule 6(e)(3)(C)(i)(V) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure that identifies a United States person, as defined in section 101 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801)).
(d) FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION-
(1) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it shall be lawful for foreign intelligence or counterintelligence (as defined in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 401a)) or foreign intelligence information obtained as part of a criminal investigation to be disclosed to any Federal law enforcement, intelligence, protective, immigration, national defense, or national security official in order to assist the official receiving that information in the performance of his official duties. Any Federal official who receives information pursuant to this provision may use that information only as necessary in the conduct of that person's official duties subject to any limitations on the unauthorized disclosure of such information.
(2) DEFINITION- In this subsection, the term `foreign intelligence information' means--
(A) information, whether or not concerning a United States person, that relates to the ability of the United States to protect against--
(i) actual or potential attack or other grave hostile acts of a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power;
(ii) sabotage or international terrorism by a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power; or
(iii) clandestine intelligence activities by an intelligence service or network of a foreign power or by an agent of a foreign power; or
(B) information, whether or not concerning a United States person, with respect to a foreign power or foreign territory that relates to--
(i) the national defense or the security of the United States; or
(ii) the conduct of the foreign affairs of the United States.
SEC. 204. CLARIFICATION OF INTELLIGENCE EXCEPTIONS FROM LIMITATIONS ON INTERCEPTION AND DISCLOSURE OF WIRE, ORAL, AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS.
Section 2511(2)(f) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking `this chapter or chapter 121' and inserting `this chapter or chapter 121 or 206 of this title'; and
(2) by striking `wire and oral' and inserting `wire, oral, and electronic'.
SEC. 205. EMPLOYMENT OF TRANSLATORS BY THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION.
(a) AUTHORITY- The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation is authorized to expedite the employment of personnel as translators to support counterterrorism investigations and operations without regard to applicable Federal personnel requirements and limitations.
(b) SECURITY REQUIREMENTS- The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall establish such security requirements as are necessary for the personnel employed as translators under subsection (a).
(c) REPORT- The Attorney General shall report to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Senate on--
(1) the number of translators employed by the FBI and other components of the Department of Justice;
(2) any legal or practical impediments to using translators employed by other Federal, State, or local agencies, on a full, part-time, or shared basis; and
(3) the needs of the FBI for specific translation services in certain languages, and recommendations for meeting those needs.
SEC. 206. ROVING SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY UNDER THE FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT OF 1978.
Section 105(c)(2)(B) of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1805(c)(2)(B)) is amended by inserting `, or in circumstances where the Court finds that the actions of the target of the application may have the effect of thwarting the identification of a specified person, such other persons,' after `specified person'.
SEC. 207. DURATION OF FISA SURVEILLANCE OF NON-UNITED STATES PERSONS WHO ARE AGENTS OF A FOREIGN POWER.
(a) DURATION-
(1) SURVEILLANCE- Section 105(e)(1) of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1805(e)(1)) is amended by--
(A) inserting `(A)' after `except that'; and
(B) inserting before the period the following: `, and (B) an order under this Act for a surveillance targeted against an agent of a foreign power, as defined in section 101(b)(1)(A) may be for the period specified in the application or for 120 days, whichever is less'.
(2) PHYSICAL SEARCH- Section 304(d)(1) of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1824(d)(1)) is amended by--
(A) striking `forty-five' and inserting `90';
(B) inserting `(A)' after `except that'; and
(C) inserting before the period the following: `, and (B) an order under this section for a physical search targeted against an agent of a foreign power as defined in section 101(b)(1)(A) may be for the period specified in the application or for 120 days, whichever is less'.
(b) EXTENSION-
(1) IN GENERAL- Section 105(d)(2) of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1805(d)(2)) is amended by--
(A) inserting `(A)' after `except that'; and
(B) inserting before the period the following: `, and (B) an extension of an order under this Act for a surveillance targeted against an agent of a foreign power as defined in section 101(b)(1)(A) may be for a period not to exceed 1 year'.
(2) DEFINED TERM- Section 304(d)(2) of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1824(d)(2) is amended by inserting after `not a United States person,' the following: `or against an agent of a foreign power as defined in section 101(b)(1)(A),'.
SEC. 208. DESIGNATION OF JUDGES.
Section 103(a) of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1803(a)) is amended by--
(1) striking `seven district court judges' and inserting `11 district court judges'; and
(2) inserting `of whom no fewer than 3 shall reside within 20 miles of the District of Columbia' after `circuits'.
SEC. 209. SEIZURE OF VOICE-MAIL MESSAGES PURSUANT TO WARRANTS.
Title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 2510--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking beginning with `and such' and all that follows through `communication'; and
(B) in paragraph (14), by inserting `wire or' after `transmission of'; and
(2) in subsections (a) and (b) of section 2703--
(A) by striking `CONTENTS OF ELECTRONIC' and inserting `CONTENTS OF WIRE OR ELECTRONIC' each place it appears;
(B) by striking `contents of an electronic' and inserting `contents of a wire or electronic' each place it appears; and
(C) by striking `any electronic' and inserting `any wire or electronic' each place it appears.
SEC. 210. SCOPE OF SUBPOENAS FOR RECORDS OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS.
Section 2703(c)(2) of title 18, United States Code, as redesignated by section 212, is amended--
(1) by striking `entity the name, address, local and long distance telephone toll billing records, telephone number or other subscriber number or identity, and length of service of a subscriber' and inserting the following: `entity the--
`(A) name;
`(B) address;
`(C) local and long distance telephone connection records, or records of session times and durations;
`(D) length of service (including start date) and types of service utilized;
`(E) telephone or instrument number or other subscriber number or identity, including any temporarily assigned network address; and
`(F) means and source of payment for such service (including any credit card or bank account number),
of a subscriber'; and
(2) by striking `and the types of services the subscriber or customer utilized,'.
SEC. 211. CLARIFICATION OF SCOPE.
Section 631 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 551) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(2)--
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking `or';
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting `; or'; and
(C) by inserting at the end the following:
`(D) to a government entity as authorized under chapters 119, 121, or 206 of title 18, United States Code, except that such disclosure shall not include records revealing cable subscriber selection of video programming from a cable operator.'; and
(2) in subsection (h), by striking `A governmental entity' and inserting `Except as provided in subsection (c)(2)(D), a governmental entity'.
SEC. 212. EMERGENCY DISCLOSURE OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND LIMB.
(a) DISCLOSURE OF CONTENTS-
(1) IN GENERAL- Section 2702 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(A) by striking the section heading and inserting the following:
`Sec. 2702. Voluntary disclosure of customer communications or records';
(B) in subsection (a)--
(i) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking `and' at the end;
(ii) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking the period and inserting `; and'; and
(iii) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
`(3) a provider of remote computing service or electronic communication service to the public shall not knowingly divulge a record or other information pertaining to a subscriber to or customer of such service (not including the contents of communications covered by paragraph (1) or (2)) to any governmental entity.';
(C) in subsection (b), by striking `EXCEPTIONS- A person or entity' and inserting `EXCEPTIONS FOR DISCLOSURE OF COMMUNICATIONS- A provider described in subsection (a)';
(D) in subsection (b)(6)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking `or';
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and inserting `; or'; and
(iii) by adding after subparagraph (B) the following:
`(C) if the provider reasonably believes that an emergency involving immediate danger of death or serious physical injury to any person requires disclosure of the information without delay.'; and
(E) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
`(c) EXCEPTIONS FOR DISCLOSURE OF CUSTOMER RECORDS- A provider described in subsection (a) may divulge a record or other information pertaining to a subscriber to or customer of such service (not including the contents of communications covered by subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2))--
`(1) as otherwise authorized in section 2703;
`(2) with the lawful consent of the customer or subscriber;
`(3) as may be necessarily incident to the rendition of the service or to the protection of the rights or property of the provider of that service;
`(4) to a governmental entity, if the provider reasonably believes that an emergency involving immediate danger of death or serious physical injury to any person justifies disclosure of the information; or
`(5) to any person other than a governmental entity.'.
(2) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENT- The table of sections for chapter 121 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 2702 and inserting the following:
`2702. Voluntary disclosure of customer communications or records.'.
(b) REQUIREMENTS FOR GOVERNMENT ACCESS-
(1) IN GENERAL- Section 2703 of title 18, United States Code, is a