Is this the same John Ashcroft?
In October 1997, then Missouri Senator John Ashcroft wrote an opinion, "Keep Big Brother's Hands Off the Internet" where he argued that "The Clinton administration would like the Federal government to have the capability to read any international or domestic computer communications. The FBI wants access to decode, digest, and discuss financial transactions, personal e-mail, and proprietary information sent abroad -- all in the name of national security," and that this policy "raises obvious concerns about Americans' privacy." He also comes out in favor of the Bill of Rights: "The protections of the Fourth Amendment are clear. The right to protection from unlawful searches is an indivisible American value. Two hundred years of court decisions have stood in defense of this fundamental right. The state's interest in effective crime-fighting should never vitiate the citizens' Bill of Rights."
Beware of PATRIOT ACT II, Bill Numbers, content, see http://www.bordc.org/patriot2.htm
Anyone tried to apply for a new creditcard lately?
After answering a litany of computer-prompted questions, he was shocked when the voice stated that due to the Patriot Act, all information he'd provided would be forwarded to John Ashcroft's team. These measures, the voice said, were to prevent money laundering, acts of terror, etc. He received the stupid card within a couple of days, but he's still appalled by the government's invasion of privacy.
In October 1997, then Missouri Senator John Ashcroft wrote an opinion, "Keep Big Brother's Hands Off the Internet" where he argued that "The Clinton administration would like the Federal government to have the capability to read any international or domestic computer communications. The FBI wants access to decode, digest, and discuss financial transactions, personal e-mail, and proprietary information sent abroad -- all in the name of national security," and that this policy "raises obvious concerns about Americans' privacy." He also comes out in favor of the Bill of Rights: "The protections of the Fourth Amendment are clear. The right to protection from unlawful searches is an indivisible American value. Two hundred years of court decisions have stood in defense of this fundamental right. The state's interest in effective crime-fighting should never vitiate the citizens' Bill of Rights."
Beware of PATRIOT ACT II, Bill Numbers, content, see http://www.bordc.org/patriot2.htm
Anyone tried to apply for a new creditcard lately?
After answering a litany of computer-prompted questions, he was shocked when the voice stated that due to the Patriot Act, all information he'd provided would be forwarded to John Ashcroft's team. These measures, the voice said, were to prevent money laundering, acts of terror, etc. He received the stupid card within a couple of days, but he's still appalled by the government's invasion of privacy.