Patriot Act
‘Unleashed and unaccountable’ – ACLU condemns FBI in new report
RT | September 17, 2013
A report published on Tuesday by the American Civil Liberties Union urges the Obama administration to reform the Federal Bureau of Investigation following years of documented instances in which the FBI has abused its authority.
Ex-FBI counsel implicated in surveillance abuses nominated to crucial federal bench
RT | September 11, 2013
The former top lawyer at the FBI deeply implicated in surveillance abuses revealed before and by Edward Snowden’s leaks was confirmed as a federal judge in a top court for terrorism cases this week.
The US Senate voted 73-24 on Monday in approving Valerie Caproni, Federal Bureau of Investigation general counsel from 2003 to 2011, to the Southern District of New York, one of the country’s most important federal courts for terrorism cases.
Why Won’t They Tell Us the Truth About NSA Spying?
By Ron Paul | August 4, 2013
In 2001, the Patriot Act opened the door to US government monitoring of Americans without a warrant. It was unconstitutional, but most in Congress over my strong objection were so determined to do something after the attacks of 9/11 that they did not seem to give it too much thought. Civil liberties groups were concerned, and some of us in Congress warned about giving up our liberties even in the post-9/11 panic. But at the time most Americans did not seem too worried about the intrusion.
Five unanswered questions about the NSA’s surveillance programs
By Brendan Sasso | The Hill | 07/07/13
Leaks by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden have provided new insight into how the government monitors domestic and foreign communications for threats to national security.
Although the government has disclosed some additional details about the programs in response to the leaks, important questions remain about the nature and scope of the surveillance programs.
The Ten Most Disturbing Things You Should Know About the FBI Since 9/11
By Matthew Harwood | ACLU | July 5, 2013
Next Tuesday, James Comey will have his first job interview for succeeding Robert Mueller as director of the FBI.
Spying by the Numbers
By BILL QUIGLEY | CounterPunch | June 20, 2013
Thanks to NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden many more people in the US and world-wide are learning about extensive US government surveillance and spying. There are publicly available numbers which show the reality of these problems are bigger than most think and most of this spying is happening with little or no judicial oversight.
Obama Speaks with Forked Tongue on Surveillance
By Sheldon Richman | FFF | June 11, 2013
It’s bad enough the federal government spies on us. Must it insult our intelligence too?