Poster
09-16-2003, 09:58 AM
President Bush is proposing a much wider range of authority for federal investigations. He wants to give Attorney General, John Ashcroft the legal right to order other federal agencies to turn over any pertinent information to combat terrorism. That same power or “administrative subpoena” would also allow the Justice Department to detain and interrogate suspected terrorists and their accomplices without the permission of a judge or jury.
“Under current law, there are unreasonable obstacles to investigating and prosecuting terrorism,” Bush said. “The House and Senate have a responsibility to act quickly on these matters. Untie the hands of our law enforcement officials so they can fight and win the war against terror,” he said to applause.”
The Administration claims that faster access to hotel and bank records can be key to capturing suspects on the run. Naturally, civil liberty groups are already detesting the proposal, citing the fourth as protection against “illegal search and seizure” without a warrant.
“The Fourth Amendment protects “the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches.” Rather than allow random searches by the police or federal agents, it says “no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation.”
To learn more go to: http://www.qctimes.com/internal.php?story_id=1017729&t=Nation+%2F+World&c=26,1017729
“Under current law, there are unreasonable obstacles to investigating and prosecuting terrorism,” Bush said. “The House and Senate have a responsibility to act quickly on these matters. Untie the hands of our law enforcement officials so they can fight and win the war against terror,” he said to applause.”
The Administration claims that faster access to hotel and bank records can be key to capturing suspects on the run. Naturally, civil liberty groups are already detesting the proposal, citing the fourth as protection against “illegal search and seizure” without a warrant.
“The Fourth Amendment protects “the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches.” Rather than allow random searches by the police or federal agents, it says “no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation.”
To learn more go to: http://www.qctimes.com/internal.php?story_id=1017729&t=Nation+%2F+World&c=26,1017729