Datamining program violated privacy laws

BIG DEAL: S"enate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) has introduced bipartisan legislation to require the White House to report more fully to Congress on datamining programs."

BIG DEAL! Legislation requiring the White House to report to Congress on datamining is a total waste of time and serves no other purpose than providing pap for press releases. The Executive branch skirts this sort of legislation by claiming ?National Security Interests?.

Those magical words effectively veto Congressional oversight efforts. When Congress passes legislation requiring the DoJ to make regular reports, the DoJ graciously agrees and consents to anything Congress asks for. Then, once empowered by the legislation, the DoJ will ?regretfully? decline to submit reports or submit to hearings, claiming that all information is protected by National Security interests.

Congress, of course, is aware of this little ploy, but it looks good in the press when they pass laws that do no more than give the appearance of reigning in the unfettered powers of the executive branch. Senator Snodgrass, with bluster and sanctimonious patriotism, can show how he is protecting the rights of his constituency. In the meantime, Senor Gonzales, in the meantime, like a well-trained Gestapo Obergruppenfuhrer, will lean back in his leather chair and smirk.; Posted by: bobinvegas@... Posted on: 03/05/07 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use