Patriot Act now being used against common criminals

[sexybomber]

Did anybody catch this? I saw the link posted on Fark.com, but nowhere else...

http://www.salon.com/news/wire/2003/09/14/patriot/

In the two years since law enforcement agencies gained fresh powers to help them track down and punish terrorists, police and prosecutors have increasingly turned the force of the new laws not on al-Qaida cells but on people charged with common crimes.

-- snip --

Federal prosecutors used the act in June to file a charge of "terrorism using a weapon of mass destruction" against a California man after a pipe bomb exploded in his lap, wounding him as he sat in his car.

A North Carolina county prosecutor charged a man accused of running a methamphetamine lab with breaking a new state law barring the manufacture of chemical weapons. If convicted, Martin Dwayne Miller could get 12 years to life in prison for a crime that usually brings about six months.

-- more --

I've been waiting for something like this to come out. I knew it was only a matter of time. Lucky for me that Ithaca was one of the cities that passed an anti-Patriot act resolution... not like it mattters though.

:scared:

[ComerPerro]

1. I've seen this here, but kick because its important

It was only a matter of time, you are right.

Now just wait until it gets really interesting:

Wait until the definition of "terrorist" changes. Soon, a terrorist could be anyone that speaks out against Bush, anyone that uses marijuana, anyone that runs against Bush in an election...

[sexybomber]

3. Ten bucks says anybody on DU is already on one of those "Watch Lists"

And I'm flying to Alaska next June for my cousin's wedding... another ten says I'll never get on that plane.

[ComerPerro]

6. Hey, see you at Guantanamo Bay

At least I won't be there alone.

[sexybomber]

11. I would be honored to have the cell next to any of my fellow evilDUers

But they'll probably want to keep us separated, in case we get all "uppity"

[Pastiche423]

10. "...anyone that runs against Bush in an election..."

anyone that sells beautiful glassworks...

[David Zephyr]

2. Kicking This Up Where It Belongs! Read This!

:kick:

[Mairead]

4. This is why it's important to elect Dennis Kucinich

Who will get rid of the 'Patriot' Act, not someone whose only commitment is to tinker with it.

I believe Dennis and Al are the only candidates who say they will totally do away with the PA. Everyone else says they want to 'modify' it.

[sexybomber]

5. I don't normally kick my own threads

but it kills me to see something like this drop like a rock...

so...

sexy :kick:

[Mari333]

7. Extreme kick

:kick:

[neverforget]

8. It was only a matter of time before they would use the so-called

"Patriot Act" for purposes other than those it was intended for. America needs to wake up before it's too late! :grr:

[pa28]

9. Gee

This was not supposed to happen. I'm shocked.
:kick: