Friday March 16, 2012, 3:49 pm

For more than two years, a handful of Democrats on the Senate intelligence committee have warned that the government is secretly interpreting its surveillance powers under the Patriot Act in a way that would be alarming if the public — or even others in Congress — knew about it.

On Thursday, two of those senators — Ron Wyden of Oregon and Mark Udall of Colorado — went further. They said a top-secret intelligence operation that is based on that secret legal theory is not as crucial to national security as executive branch officials have maintained.

The senators, who also said that Americans would be “stunned” to know what the government thought the Patriot Act allowed it to do, made their remarks in a letter to Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. after a Justice Department official last month told a judge that disclosing anything about the program “could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security of the United States.”
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by: Charlie Savage, The New York Times News Service | Report | Truthout

Please read full article.

Friday March 16, 2012, 7:36 pm
So would these Democratic Senators care to do something about this situation? Like, you know, repeal the Patriot Act?

Anything the activist community can do to put pressure on the FOIA request process?

Friday March 16, 2012, 7:40 pm

Yes, William all of Congress (both Houses)must keep records of all incoming calls. We can all call, as many times as we like and keep the calls coming. If they don't hear from us they will not act. Petitions, emails and letters may help but can and are "lost" - phone calls must be recorded for the Library of Congress. Both the Patriot Act and NDAA are a real and present danger to any form of a democratic state.

Saturday March 17, 2012, 2:39 am
even without this extra info the Act was always alarming..........

Saturday March 17, 2012, 9:33 am
thanks.

Saturday March 17, 2012, 12:40 pm
Another act that needs to be clearly defined so that our rights are never infringed upon.

Saturday March 17, 2012, 1:12 pm
"Die Fahne hoch, die Reihen fest geschlossen.
SA marschiert in ruhig, festem Schritt....."

Saturday March 17, 2012, 2:16 pm
philip... Sounds as if it refers to hitler's first attempt to seize power, the rebellion that got him sent to prison where mein kampf was written. Yes?

Saturday March 17, 2012, 3:24 pm
We all need to call and call and call and write letters. The Patriot Act changes everything. Do not think that "since I am doing nothing wrong, it doesn't matter"....it DOES matter. You can be doing something "wrong" at any minute. You have no idea. Think you can speak out about how you think this country should be run? Think again. Protests and demonstrations are in the cross-hairs.

Saturday March 17, 2012, 3:53 pm
Thanks, Kit. Noted and shared on FB. and let's not forget HR 347 that was just passed.

Saturday March 17, 2012, 4:10 pm
Repeal that Bu$h League "Patriot Act" & then they ( & we) would not have to worry about how this President and any future President's Admin. "interpret " it!

Saturday March 17, 2012, 4:55 pm
Thanks for the posting, Kit. Naomi Wolf wrote online about this a few weeks ago. She said that members of Congress should worry about what they'd just passed, as they could fall victim to it themselves. Feels like I've been living in "Upside-DownLand" too long! I join others in calling for an end to the (Anti)Patriot Act.

Saturday March 17, 2012, 5:09 pm
Why do those who govern fear those they govern?

Saturday March 17, 2012, 6:05 pm
Very good question Hartson, maybe it has to do that the US is turning steadily, step for step into a dictatorial fascist state, fear and megalomania are the symptoms of this.

Saturday March 17, 2012, 7:49 pm
Fascist governments are always paranoid because they know they are wrong...

Saturday March 17, 2012, 8:08 pm
Thanks again Kit.

Frequently one needs only mention "security", and the rule of law bolts out the door--just when it is most needed.

Sunday March 18, 2012, 8:00 am
The Patriot Act and Citizens United combine to make us a far weaker country!

Sunday March 18, 2012, 9:22 am
noted

Sunday March 18, 2012, 11:54 am
Noted. Seems the interpretations of the Patriot Act and NDAA are meant to be vague, so far as it suits the government on whom it can used it against. Wouldn't be surprised if these acts are used against OWS protesters, but not corporate puppets (like the Tea Party.) who might be committing the same violations.

Monday March 19, 2012, 6:47 am
Noted & shared on FB. The Patriot Act needs to be flushed along with alot of politicians.

Monday March 19, 2012, 5:58 pm
This is scary stuff. My two senators and representative always see conspiracies behind every bush. Trying to get them to use common sense is never ending task. Sometimes I receive the same letter - word for word - from the senators and rep. Discouraging, but will keep fighting.
Thanks Kit!

Tuesday March 20, 2012, 4:32 pm
Are we liking our Fascism yet? NOT!

Tuesday March 20, 2012, 8:33 pm
It makes me wonder where these two Senators were when it came time to pass on NDAA. I have written two scathing letters to the Democratic Senator from Florida about this. I didn't waste my time writing to Rubio as he is a half wit sucking down gallons of GOP propaganda.

Wednesday March 21, 2012, 3:58 pm
Surprised they haven't been arrested under the new defense laws.