Senate to look at improper FBI spying (AP)

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Tuesday, March 27, 2007 · Last updated 12:32 a.m. PT
Senate to look at improper FBI spying

By MICHAEL J. SNIFFEN
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

WASHINGTON -- A Senate panel wants to know if the Patriot Act
needs to be revised to keep the FBI from illegally or improperly
gathering telephone, e-mail and financial records of Americans and
foreigners while pursuing terrorists.

FBI Director Robert Mueller was to testify Tuesday before the Senate
Judiciary Committee. It was the panel's second hearing into a report
earlier this month by the Justice Department inspector general that
revealed abuses in the FBI's use of documents called national
security letters to gather data.

The committee plans to hear April 17 from Attorney General Alberto
Gonzales, who is struggling to keep his job amid criticism of the NSL
abuses and the firings of eight U.S. attorneys.

"Last year the administration sought new powers in the Patriot Act
to appoint U.S. Attorneys without Senate confirmation and to more
freely use National Security Letters," Senate Judiciary Chairman
Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said in remarks prepared for Tuesday's hearing.
"The administration got these powers, and they have badly bungled
both."

-snip-

Read more: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1153AP_FBI_Patriot_Act.html

[Double T]

1. Senate better do A LOT MORE than just 'look' at this situation.............

they had better make sweeping changes to this abuse of power and infringement on everyone's right to privacy. 9/11 has become the lame excuse for canceling the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

[Frustratedlady]

2. Well, we can rest assured in the knowledge they will probably check out

the eavesdropping activity during their campaigns. It might even tip the scale in how the media treats them if they were able to prove certain reporters had also been targeted. I can't believe this isn't a smoking gun...a huge smoking gun.

[maddezmom]

3. thanks for the reminder

:kick: