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Politics

by Mike Masnick

Tue, Feb 15th 2011 6:01pm




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patriot act, senate


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.

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    Jay (profile), Feb 15th, 2011 @ 6:03pm

    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?

     

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      Anonymous Coward, Feb 15th, 2011 @ 6:05pm

      Re: Talking to my Senator...

      if you write a letter(you know those funny things with the stamps) then yes.

       

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        ChurchHatesTucker (profile), Feb 15th, 2011 @ 6:23pm

        Re: Re: Talking to my Senator...

        Actually, they even take emails seriously these days.

         

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          Anonymous Coward, Feb 15th, 2011 @ 6:36pm

          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

           

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            ChurchHatesTucker (profile), Feb 15th, 2011 @ 6:52pm

            Re: Re: Re: Re: 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.

             

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              Jay (profile), Feb 15th, 2011 @ 7:01pm

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: 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...

               

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              antimatter3009 (profile), Feb 16th, 2011 @ 5:14am

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: 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.

               

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                ChurchHatesTucker (profile), Feb 16th, 2011 @ 10:53am

                Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: 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.

                 

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        monkyyy, Feb 15th, 2011 @ 8:06pm

        Re: Re: Talking to my Senator...

        u sure? im think the last time i sent a letter it was completely ignored

         

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    Mudlock, Feb 15th, 2011 @ 6:17pm

    Almost ten years in, and I doubt any of the Senators have even read the whole thing, let alone considered debating it.

     

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    Anonymous Coward, Feb 15th, 2011 @ 6:52pm

    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?

     

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    J.J. (profile), Feb 15th, 2011 @ 7:46pm

    Sticking their finger in the wind to see the reactions before going ahead with it.

     

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    Josef Anvil (profile), Feb 16th, 2011 @ 12:54am

    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.

     

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    Thomas (profile), Feb 16th, 2011 @ 5:13am

    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.

     

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    Shon Gale (profile), Feb 16th, 2011 @ 7:20am

    Wow the US Senate did something. I'm amazed!!

     

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    weneedhelp (profile), Feb 16th, 2011 @ 7:55am

    Dont worry

    anyone who opposes it will just get anthrax sent to them in the mail.

     

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    Anonymous Coward, Feb 16th, 2011 @ 4:38pm

    Oh, thank goodness the Tea Party revolution saved us!

     

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