Abuses of the Patri-Idiot Act

From Brad Blog:

Conyers Says PATRIOT Act Provisions 'Subject to Wide Spread Abuse'

Cites Several Hundred Instances in Floor Debate Today over Act's Renewal

Supports Most Provisions, But Concerned about 'Protecting Civil Liberties While Fighting Terrorism'

Earlier today, Larisa Alexandrovna of RAW STORY reported on the 70-page position paper released by House Judiciary Democrats outlining their disenting view on the renewal of the PATRIOT Act as now being debated on the House floor.

In a statement obtained by The BRAD BLOG for today's debate, Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), the ranking member of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, calls several of the PATRIOT Act provisions -- 16 of which are now up for renewal -- into question, cited hundreds of instances of "abuse" and outlined those provisions which he viewed as the most significant threat to our civil liberties.

Citing evidence of "a few provisions that are subject to abuse, and need greater checks and balances," Conyers outlined three of the provisions specifically of concern during debate today of "HR 3199 USA Patriot and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2005"

Amongst those which Conyers' expressed concerned about is Section 215 which allows for the FBI to obtain any record "relevant" to an investigation, including library books and medical records. Conyers' said that targets are not allowed to tell anyone -- even their own attorneys -- about such records requests. The provision has been "abused," said Conyers', citing reports from the American Library Association alone of some 200 such requests since September 11.