Orrin Hatch loses the tiny grip on "it" that he once had.

[xiphias]

Orrin Hatch demonstrates that he's a George Orwell fan!

That's the most charitable explanation I can think of. "War is peace! Black is white! Restriction of civil liberties is enhancement of civil liberties!" See?

Comments

[laurens10.livejournal.com]

Wow. He really is on a role, isn't he? Both this and the "let's make dem computers blow up if there be pirates" idea.

[navrins]

I must again add, however, that there has not been one cited instance of abuse to undermine the fact that these tools have saved American lives by allowing law enforcement and intelligence agencies to prevent attacks on our country.

What is he smoking?

1. There's been plenty of abuse - not, perhaps, serious abuse (I'm not sure to what extent the well-reported unconstitutional detentions and such have been USA-PATRIOT-related, or authorized by some other law, or just plain illegal), but certainly some.

2. Even if the act hasn't been abused yet, there is no doubt that the act *allows* abuse.

3. Is there even one "cited instance" where the act can be demonstrated to have saved lives?

Damn that big lie. The people in power can say whatever the hell they want and be believed. I don't even want that power for myself, let alone in the hands of the people who have it.

Re: Great points!

[navrins]

Not in the least. What I have to say about Dean is for anyone.

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

You're missing the BIG hole here -- the USA PATRIOT Act criminalizes citing instances of abuse of the USA PATRIOT Act.

Which tends to cut down cites of instances of abuse.

[wordweaverlynn.livejournal.com]

the USA PATRIOT Act criminalizes citing instances of abuse of the USA PATRIOT Act.

Which tends to cut down cites of instances of abuse.

I'm scared. Goddamnit, I was born in a free country.