House Approves Warrantless Wiretap Law

I can’t believe this! What in the world are these people thinking?

WASHINGTON - The House approved a bill today that would grant legal status to President Bush’s warrantless wiretapping program with new restrictions. Republicans called it a test before the election of whether Democrats want to fight or coddle terrorists.

The war on terrorism shouldn’t be fought at the expense of civil and human rights. Simple as that.

The bill, sponsored by Republican Heather Wilson gives legal status under certain conditions to Bush’s warrantless wiretapping of calls and e-mails between people on United States soil making calls or sending e-mails and those in other countries.

I have friends in other countries, I communicate with many bloggers around the globe via email and phone.

This is very upsetting news but just another reason for people to use PGP or some other form of encryption in online communications.

Under the measure, the president would be authorized to conduct such wiretaps if he:

  • Notifies the House and Senate intelligence committees and congressional leaders.
  • Believes an attack is imminent and later explains the reason and names the individuals and groups involved.
  • Renews his certification every 90 days.

The Senate also could vote on a similar bill before Congress recesses at the end of the week.

Leaders concede that differences between the versions are so significant they cannot reconcile them into a final bill that can be delivered to Bush before the November 7 congressional elections.

September 28, 2006 · Filed Under News Room, Rants, Technology

Comments

3 Responses to “House Approves Warrantless Wiretap Law”

  1. Karen on September 29th, 2006 9:48 am

    This is outrageous, Sean and it’s another way to strip citizens of their personal freedom and privacy like the cctv’s I posted about, which are being implemented in Toronto now. :(

  2. trench on September 29th, 2006 10:53 pm

    wow, i dont want to use the phone no more!

  3. Sean on September 29th, 2006 11:03 pm

    Hi Trench. Indeed this is really crazy.

    There are so many factors with this law it’s scary and because of all the grey areas, everyone really needs to be careful…

    However, there are methods of encrypting phone calls and emails which I suggest we all do.

    I plan on a detailed post over the next couple of days discussing encrypting phone calls and emails, so be sure to check back.

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