Monday May 28, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

U.S. Senate votes to extend parts of Patriot Act

World Feb. 16, 2011 - 10:07AM JST ( 24 )

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

Order by Time Order by Popularity

24 Comments

0

noriyosan73Feb. 16, 2011 - 11:58AM JST

Another example of the Senate, House and President not knowing what is in the bill. Everyone is too busy with his/her own issues and bills in Congress. Postponement is a polite way to say, "I will get to it."
0

goddogFeb. 16, 2011 - 12:12PM JST

The third “lone wolf” provision, part of a 2004 law, permits secret intelligence surveillance of non-U.S. individuals not known to be linked to a specific terrorist activity.

non-us and not known....why waste your time?
0

j4p4nFTWFeb. 16, 2011 - 12:43PM JST

non-us and not known....why waste your time?

Because the US has the right to monitor everyone in the world.
0

mikehuntezFeb. 16, 2011 - 01:00PM JST

Obama must support the erosion of civil liberties of even those suspected of terrorism. I bet he even secretly approves of waterboarding.
0

pointofviewFeb. 16, 2011 - 01:05PM JST

What about your freedom people?
0

manfromamericaFeb. 16, 2011 - 03:15PM JST

What about your freedom people?

LOL! What utopian paradise do you prefer?
0

SolidariTeaFeb. 16, 2011 - 06:18PM JST

obama, no different than Bush.
0

Taka313Feb. 16, 2011 - 09:47PM JST

obama, no different than Bush.

Interesting that you should say so since you supported bush so adamantly yet hate Pres. Obama so much. What's the difference between the two? According to you, nothing. Oh yeah, the color of their skin and the letter behind their name.

Why is it that you can't support the president if he is a third term of your dear leader?

Taka
0

TheQuestionFeb. 17, 2011 - 12:05AM JST

The measures include the authority to initiate roving wiretaps on multiple electronic devices and the authority to obtain court-approved access to business records considered relevant to terror investigations.

No, still bad. You shouldn't be officially wire tapping your own citizens. I can't, and probably wouldn't, stop the CIA and FBI from doing their own cloak and dagger stuff off the record but don't try to justify it as protecting freedom.

The third “lone wolf” provision, part of a 2004 law, permits secret intelligence surveillance of non-U.S. individuals not known to be linked to a specific terrorist activity.

That I'm ok with that part. I'm all for violating the rights of people in other countries, gives me a little more leverage. And it's not like the U.S doesn't do this anyway.

Why is it that you can't support the president if he is a third term of your dear leader?

Can't speak for others but I didn't like either of them and I've primarily voted for third party candidates since I first registered. I take great pride in criticizing both presidents. The old one being garbage and the new one being garbage are not mutually exclusive.
0

pointofviewFeb. 17, 2011 - 09:39AM JST

I`d prefer the not living in a police state utopian. And you?
0

manfromamericaFeb. 17, 2011 - 11:45AM JST

pointofview -

Much of the Patriot Act is reasonable.

I`d prefer the not living in a police state utopian.

Can you name a present state you'd prefer to live in? Please give an example so we can put it in context, because no one gets locked up in the US for dissent.
0

pointofviewFeb. 17, 2011 - 12:28PM JST

Much of the Patriot Act was fabricated after the American government scared the sheeple into believing everything reported on mainstream media was a form of terrorism endangering everyones lives. People are brutalized, lied to, murdered, and beaten down by the suits. Thats a fact. Research it. Wait! Wait! if you even question a cop these days you get tasered or you are considered a threat. Come on. Throwing people in jail for years for minor infractions while corruption continues in big business and government? The Patriot Act is one more way of handcuffing the people. Protesters get locked up all the time. Answer one question. Why arent the politicians and scheming businessmen/bankers being wire tapped? Canada, Australia, New Zealand are of course better places, however, because of their weak governments they have also begun to cater to American requests.
Manfromamerica, don`t you find it strange that the villains are doing the wiretapping on the innocent? America needs to start changing its ways so it can once again become a leading nation.
0

manfromamericaFeb. 17, 2011 - 12:47PM JST

the American government scared the sheeple

are you a "truther"?

People are brutalized, lied to, murdered, and beaten down by the suits. Thats a fact.

Sorry, that's highly incorrect. Do you have any stories?

if you even question a cop these days you get tasered or you are considered a threat.

You can scream in a cop's face and nothing will happen. However, if you attack a cop you will get arrested.

Throwing people in jail for years for minor infractions

What "minor infractions"? You talk in generalities without any real examples so it makes it difficult to agree with you.

Have you been arrested for dissent? If so, what did you do to get arrested?

Manfromamerica, don`t you find it strange that the villains are doing the wiretapping on the innocent?

What "villians"???
0

manfromamericaFeb. 17, 2011 - 01:07PM JST

pointofview -

Canada, Australia, New Zealand are of course better places, however, because of their weak governments they have also begun to cater to American requests.

So in your view the US is the 4th best place in the world to live? I don't understand your extreme dislike of the US, when you admit it is more free than almost everywhere else in the world. I can understand some displeasure, but "police state"? That is totally beyond any reality.
0

pointofviewFeb. 17, 2011 - 03:34PM JST

Here we go a "truther." If you dont believe mainstream media you are not legit it seems. Anderson Cooper is on the money eh? manfromamerica, you know they lie their teeth off. The only reason things arent brought to light is because they are blocked by the elitists.
You should do your own research. There are countless stories. Stop watching CNN and FOX. There are countless people in jail for minor infractions like possesing small amounts of marijuana, paying taxes and being framed. You cant scream in a cops face. In fact, they can taser you and get away with it. Even pull a gun on you. Look youve heard the stories. They are not made up. There would probably be more but most people are afraid to fight back or they are too busy worrying about staying employed and paying bills. Wall Street villains, corrupt politicians, police etc. You think they have done no wrong? Government bails out the banks but nobody helps the those individuals who lost 4 million homes? Thats okay? Thats crazy. And the FED. Wow! They are supposed to create employment. Why is the real unemployment rate at 20%? They havent done a thing. All the big banks are making huge profits again too. Why? The 4th best? Dont know. It seems America is leading the pack with its nonsensical treatment of its hard working people. So I only hate what is being done to good hard working people who are suffering. Losing homes, jobs, families, getting sick, and being treated without respect is what blows me away. Thats not what America is supposed to be like. The Patriot Act as I said scares people and makes them conform like robots. The majority are not even aware of all these crazy bills and laws passing. Its a shame. Do you actually think life is getting better in the US?
0

manfromamericaFeb. 17, 2011 - 04:48PM JST

Here we go a "truther."

"sheeple" is a term used by truthers to describe everyone who believes the "official or government version" (also truther terms). It would also explain your quest to find a conspiracy in this discussion as well.

There are countless people in jail for minor infractions like possesing small amounts of marijuana,

Is this the reason for your argument against the Patriot Act? It's irrelevant, and BTW also illegal in almost every country in the world.

So I only hate what is being done to good hard working people who are suffering. Losing homes, jobs, families, getting sick, and being treated without respect is what blows me away.

What's being "done to" them?

The majority are not even aware of all these crazy bills and laws passing.

Not even Congress (see Obamacare). But that's a problem specific to these specific elected officials and administration.

And the FED. Wow! They are supposed to create employment. Why is the real unemployment rate at 20%? They havent done a thing.

No, the FED isn't supposed to do that. Businesses create employment, and the government's job is to allow private citizens to create wealth through business.

All the big banks are making huge profits again too.

Great!! Ordinary Americans own stocks in these banks, millions do in their IRA funds, Pension funds, not to mention the hundred thousand people employed by the big banks.

Losing homes, jobs, families, getting sick,

This is not an America-only thing.

and being treated without respect is what blows me away.

Who is being treated without respect? How are they being treated without respect? You don't show any examples, so it is hard to understand what you are thinking.

The Patriot Act as I said scares people and makes them conform like robots.

Who is it scaring?? I don't know anyone who's scared, and many of them are strong dissenters.

Do you actually think life is getting better in the US?

No, the current Administration and much of Congress has alot to do with this. However I'd still say life and opportunity in the US is better than almost anywhere in the world.
0

manfromamericaFeb. 17, 2011 - 05:02PM JST

You cant scream in a cops face.

Oh yes you can. You obviously have never lived in NY. People will sometimes threaten cops on the street, and as long as they don't actually attack the cops there will be no arrest or action from the police whatsoever.

Moderator: Back on topic please.
0

pointofviewFeb. 17, 2011 - 06:08PM JST

I think you are just on a different page than me but most are blind to whats going on unfortunately. Nobody is reaping the benefits from the banks profits except for the people at the top. Americans arent thats for sure. Something isnt a conspiracy if it is a fact.
0

SuperLibFeb. 17, 2011 - 07:04PM JST

pointofview: Much of the Patriot Act was fabricated after the American government scared the sheeple into believing everything reported on mainstream media was a form of terrorism endangering everyones lives.

And on the other side we have people such as yourself trying to make everyone afraid of the government. The difference is that you sell your far a lot harder than the government sells theirs.
0

pointofviewFeb. 17, 2011 - 10:22PM JST

Not afraid just be more aware. Facts are facts.
0

manfromamericaFeb. 18, 2011 - 11:42AM JST

Something isnt a conspiracy if it is a fact.

What facts are you referring to? You just speak in generalities without any examples, so it is hard to understand your point.

And you still haven't shown why bank profits are bad when millions of people own stock in these banks.
0

pointofviewFeb. 18, 2011 - 12:52PM JST

Why dont you do your own research? All you have to say is "show me the details." Well... look them up yourself instead of being blindly lead. Sounds like you are asleep at the wheel. Why dont you provide your facts that`ll prove me wrong?
0

manfromamericaFeb. 18, 2011 - 02:14PM JST

pointofview -

I am asking you to explain why company profits are bad when millions of people own stock in these companies. You haven't even explained your pointofview, just "US is evil" and "corporations are evil".

Why are you against some of these provisions of the Patriot Act?
0

pointofviewFeb. 18, 2011 - 07:58PM JST

The profits arent creating jobs, in fact more and more layoffs; huge bonuses to a select few, just to name two. I wouldnt say evil but perhaps greedy and apathetic. You know yourself nothing is going back to the people, its being taken. Jobs at WalMart stocking shelves at 9 bucks an hour doesnt cut the mustard. This only results in uncalled for adversity. Security is great but the Patriot Act takes too much of your freedom. People watching your every move and listening in on you. Thats a bit much. Of course the authorities arent doing this to everyone, but they can if they want to. Can you explain your point of view?