Friday, December 16, 2005

Patriot Act Extension Defeated in the Senate!

In a close (52-47) vote, the Senate today rejected the extension of several major provisions of the Patriot Act. These provisions are set to expire on December 31st.

While this doesn't make the Patriot Act go away completely, it's definitely a step in the right direction. There are still a lot of loopholes to close, and hopefully the momentum will carry through to the sunset of this travesty.

Here's the full story.

Incidentally, John Sununu is quoting Ben Franklin here:
"Those that would give up essential liberties in pursuit in a little temporary
security deserve neither liberty nor security," said Sen. John Sununu, R-N.H.


Another great quote:
"I don't want to hear again from the attorney general or anyone on this floor
that this government has shown it can be trusted to use the power we give it
with restraint and care," said Feingold, the only senator to vote against the
Patriot Act in 2001.

And finally, from the warmongers:
If the Patriot Act provisions expire, Republicans say they will place the blame
on Democrats in next year's midterm elections. "In the war on terror, we cannot
afford to be without these vital tools for a single moment," White House press
secretary Scott McClellan said. "The time for Democrats to stop standing in the
way has come."

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