The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
Via Bonner & Partners…
A Bogus Threat
The Patriot Act was an embarrassment from the get-go. How could a people who valued their liberty give it up so readily?
The terrorist threat was gaudy and spectacular, but never serious.
Statistically, we Americans are more likely to be killed by our own children than by terrorists. We are more likely to starve to death. Or die after tripping over furniture.
And for every American killed by a terrorist, there are about 100 who are gunned down, run over, or Tasered to death by their own police.
Still, eavesdropping was sold to the public as a way to head off terrorist attacks.
How many attacks did it thwart?
Zero.
The Washington Times reports:
FBI agents can’t point to any major terrorism cases they’ve cracked thanks to the key snooping powers in the Patriot Act, the Justice Department’s inspector general said in a report Thursday that could complicate efforts to keep key parts of the law operating.
Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz said that between 2004 and 2009, the FBI tripled its use of bulk collection under Section 215 of the Patriot Act, which allows government agents to compel businesses to turn over records and documents, and increasingly scooped up records of Americans who had no ties to official terrorism investigations.
References:
http://www.acting-man.com/?p=37808
http://bonnerandpartners.com/we-salute-you-rand-paul/
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.