Senate Extends Controversial Patriot Act Spying Provisions By 90 Days; But Will They Debate Them During That Time?
from the questions-to-ponder dept
In response to the House’s approval to extend three controversial Patriot Act spying provisions until December of this year, the Senate has (by a huge majority) voted to extend the provisions by 90 days. While any extension isn’t great, a 90-day extension is better than the alternatives that were being debated. Of course, the real question is whether or not the Senate would hold any real debate or discussion about these provisions in this 90-day period. It seems unlikely, but maybe I’ll be proven wrong.
Filed Under: patriot act, senate
Comments on “Senate Extends Controversial Patriot Act Spying Provisions By 90 Days; But Will They Debate Them During That Time?”
Talking to my Senator...
Is a huge waste of time.
Thinking about my Congressman and telling him my opinion but really, would it ever reach him?
Re: Talking to my Senator...
if you write a letter(you know those funny things with the stamps) then yes.
Re: Re: Talking to my Senator...
Actually, they even take emails seriously these days.
Re: Re: Re: Talking to my Senator...
yeah but any nut can pop off an e-mail, takes time to write a letter and send it
Re: Re: Re:2 Talking to my Senator...
True, and of the two options snail mail is probably the better one. But they don’t dismiss emails the way they used to.
Re: Re: Re:3 Talking to my Senator...
How so? With the tons of emails they get, and the fact is bad news spreads far quicker than the good stuff, it’s debatable it’ll make a difference in the long run…
Re: Re: Re:3 Talking to my Senator...
Right. Snail mail is probably still better, but I’ve gotten relatively thoughtful (read: not canned) responses to my emails before, at least from my House Rep. Senators are probably getting more mail, so you may be more likely to be lost in the shuffle.
Re: Re: Re:4 Talking to my Senator...
That’s a good point. More people know who their Senators are than their Reps. So especially with them you should lean towards smail (I just coined that.)
However, as long as you indicate that you live in their district/state, most congress-critters will take an email seriously. Hell, most of them are on facebook these days.
Re: Re: Talking to my Senator...
u sure? im think the last time i sent a letter it was completely ignored
Almost ten years in, and I doubt any of the Senators have even read the whole thing, let alone considered debating it.
Re: Re:
Yep…
Why the change to 90 days?
Was December too uncomfortably close to the 2012 elections? DO they want to get the big three year (or permanent) renewal done well before 2012?
Sticking their finger in the wind to see the reactions before going ahead with it.
Seriously?
This one is simple. No matter how ridiculous those provisions are, any attempt at changing The “Patriot” Act will result in the opposition being cast in the role of anti-Patriotic and unwilling to keep Americans “safe”.
C’mon, it was named The Patriot Act for a reason.
debate them?
hahahahaha. As #12 points out, any one opposing the act will be considered anti-patriotic. Not to mention pro-terrorist. I wonder how much of the spying they do is actually related to terrorism and how much is related to critics of the government?
Oh god…a black SUV with tinted windows is parked in front of my house.
Wow the US Senate did something. I’m amazed!!
Dont worry
anyone who opposes it will just get anthrax sent to them in the mail.
Oh, thank goodness the Tea Party revolution saved us!