So what about the FBI abuses of the Patriot Act? That's been pretty much

[babylonsister]

forgotten in the rush to indict Gonzales and Rove, but is just as important, if not more so. Our rights have been/are at stake.
I can't imagine Gonzales has been an intentional diversion, but the timing is suspect.

[Solon]

1. True, but then again, the Patriot Act itself is a blank cheque for abuse of power...

and needs to be repealed.

[babylonsister]

2. The illegalities by the FBI need to be addressed, pointing out

how abuses have run rampant, before it's repealed imo.

[Solon]

3. We could do both...

The FBI needs to be put under a microscope, in addition to the DOJ, Department of Homeland Security, pretty much all executive departments need to be inspected by Congress for various abuses. Bush has damaged this country so badly it would make the Church committee and the Kerry committee investigations seem like small speedbumps compared to the mountain of shit that Bush piled on.

[babylonsister]

4. All true; I just don't want this one to 'get away'. So many probable

crimes, so little time.

[Solon]

6. You know, the GAO is busy, all the time, with budget issues...

rather than criminal or legalistic issues. Maybe we should lobby Congress for the establishment of a CAO(Civil Accountability Office), one that reports directly to Congress's oversight committees, and is a NON-Partisan, civilian appointed, investigative arm of Congress that has subpoena power. Officials in this office would be appointed from reputable non-governmental civil rights and legal organizations, such as the ABA and the ACLU, as two examples.

This way, this organization would be free, without legal restrictions, in investigating appointed officials on possible abuses of power, violations of law in administrative matters, etc. They would also be able to review classified materials, etc. during the investigations. They would not be able to PROSECUTE crimes, however, they would report all findings to the oversight committees of Congress, and, when needed, independent prosecutors.

Unlike lawmakers, these guys would be free to investigate this type of stuff, full time, whenever its needed, and can have great latitude in how the investigations are conducted. They would, of course, be directly under Congress, so they would be held accountable themselves.

[peacetheonlyway]

5. House / Senate Passed Patriot Act Both Times

bottom line, the congress is now fighting provisions of a patriot act, that they themselves approved.

i know you can argue "Repukes" were in office , but it would sicken you how many dems voted for all patriot
act bills.

the patriot act is pure evil and needs to be completely removed from law the same way HAVA needs to go.

till congress realize these 2 root legislative screw ups are the source of many core problems, they will
not be able to address the branch problems.

good to see the FOIA and whistleblower restored. nice to see our taxpayer money will spend the next 20 years reversing
what bush did in these 6 years.