More on the Patriot Act

Analysis:

The AP article states that Republicans have “reached a White House-backed compromise to renew broad powers granted to law enforcement agencies in the days after the 2001 terrorist attacks on American soil.” There is some mention of the other parts of the Patriot Act that are being negotiated by the White House such as law enforcement access to personal data and a 4-year extension on what are called roving wiretaps. Although the article says that “bipartisan criticism flared,” the only dissenting voices quoted are those is of Democratic Senators Russ Feingold and Patrick Leahy.

There were several sections of the original version omitted from the Press version as you can see below. The most important part was a quote from 6 critics, 3 Democrats and 3 Republicans who said “We still can, and must, make sure that our laws give law enforcement agents the tools they need while providing safeguards to protect the constitutional rights of all Americans.” The larger omission however, was that no other voices or perspectives are provided than that of government officials. This is too big an issue to ignore what citizen groups are saying about the Patriot Act and civil liberties considering how many cities and states have passed resolutions against the current USA Patriot Act. The story could have sought out comments from the ACLU or the Bill of Rights Defense Committee, both national groups which have a taken a critical position on the Patriot Act. It is also important to mention that nowhere in the story is the legislation cited or where readers could find it in order to make an informed decision when contacting their Representatives and Senators.

Story:

Patriot Act agreement reached
WASHINGTON – (AP) Key Republicans from the House and Senate reached a White House-backed compromise Thursday to renew the broad powers granted to law enforcement agencies in the days after the 2001 terrorist attacks on American soil.

GOP leaders pledged to pass the Patriot Act extension for President Bush’s signature by the holidays, although bipartisan criticism flared. Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis., threatened to filibuster a bill he said lacked adequate safeguards to protect constitutional freedoms.

Rep. James Sensenbrenner, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said the measure would assist “in the detection, disruption and dismantling of terrorist cells before they strike.”

Important parts involve the ability of law enforcement officials to gain access to a wealth of personal data, including library records, as part of investigations into suspected terrorist activity.

The measure provides a four-year extension of the government’s ability to conduct roving wiretaps – which may involve multiple phones – and to seek access to many of the personal records covered by the bill.

White House officials signaled their satisfaction, and Specter has credited Vice President Dick Cheney with intervening this week to help bring the House and Senate together.
Critics from the left and right said the legislation was a bad deal.

“Taking away our rights does not make us safer,” said Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., one of several lawmakers in both parties demanding changes in the measure.

Text from the original article ommitted from the Grand Rapids Press version:

“We hammered out what I think is a good bill. … Not a perfect bill, but a good bill,” said Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who announced the compromise at a news conference in the Capitol.

Also extended for four years is the power to wiretap “lone wolf” terrorists who may operate on their own, without control from a foreign agent or power.

Six critics, three from each party, said in a statement, “We still can, and must, make sure that our laws give law enforcement agents the tools they need while providing safeguards to protect the constitutional rights of all Americans.”

Republicans said they intended to proceed without further changes.
The agreement capped weeks of fits and starts and came after a day of confusion and mixed signals.