NEWS: FBI Seeks Power to Seize Records Without Judicial Approval, page 1

posted on May, 25 2005 @ 02:34 PM

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As part of a hearing before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, the FBI has asked for the authority to seize personal and business records without requiring prior approval from a judge, in order to investigate terrorist threats more swiftly and efficiently. The records obtainable would include medical, book purchase, tax, gun-purchase, travel, and other records.

www.washingtonpost.com
Valerie Caproni, FBI general counsel, told the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee her agency needed the power to issue what are known as administrative subpoenas to get information quickly about terrorist plots and the activities of foreign agents.

Civil liberties groups have complained the subpoenas, which would cover medical, tax, gun-purchase, book purchase, travel and other records and could be kept secret, would give the FBI too much power and could infringe on privacy and free speech.

"This type of subpoena authority would allow investigators to obtain relevant information quickly in terrorism investigations, where time is often of the essence," Caproni testified.

The issue of administrative subpoenas dominated the hearing, which was called to discuss reauthorization of clauses of the USA Patriot Act due to expire at the end of this year.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

The FBI's appeal for these expanded powers, which would effectively leap-frog normal judicial process, was made as part of the Committee's hearing which will include a closed session to consider renewal and expansion of the Patriot Act legislation tomorrow.
"Patriot Act II" Leaked - Senate Committee to Consider Draft Tomorrow

Related News Links:
news.yahoo.com
www.chron.com
www.boston.com

[edit on 2005/5/25 by wecomeinpeace]

wecomeinpeace

posted on May, 29 2005 @ 12:38 PM

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Sorry, I'm going to bump this one as well because it is related to this article.

Patriot Act II Leaked - Senate Committee to Consider Draft Tomorrow

I'm surprised there are no distraction media events going on to keep the U.S. public's eyes away from this behind-closed-doors blitzkrieg on civil liberties. Maybe that's what the Koran episode is all about.

Simulacra

posted on May, 29 2005 @ 12:52 PM

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I actually covered this same story nearly 3 months ago along with the 'Patriot Act II'

FBI seeks to expand their powers with less oversight

wecomeinpeace

posted on May, 29 2005 @ 01:23 PM

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Wow, Sim, you're pounced on three threads proclaiming that you had reported this before. The developments that are happening now are new. The draft version of the PAII has been leaked and a copy is available to the public. The FBI is now before a Senate Comittee asking for expanded powers again. Your story reported Robert Mueller asking for the powers, now it has gone before a senate committee. But if you're going to start pointing the finger, this story on April 5 reported on the events a full day before you submitted yours: www.atsnn.com...

Chill pill, dude. Everyone respects you here.

Simulacra

posted on May, 29 2005 @ 01:26 PM

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Totally my bad. Misunderstanding. Vote Yes.

wecomeinpeace

posted on May, 29 2005 @ 01:36 PM

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No worries, mate.