Bill Would Allow Arrests For No Reason In Public Place

A bill on Gov. Bob Taft's desk right now is drawing a lot of criticism, NewsChannel5 reported.

One state representative said it resembles Gestapo-style tactics of government, and there could be changes coming on the streets of Ohio's small towns and big cities.

The Ohio Patriot Act has made it to the Taft's desk, and with the stroke of a pen, it would most likely become the toughest terrorism bill in the country. The lengthy piece of legislation would let police arrest people in public places who will not give their names, address and birth dates, even if they are not doing anything wrong.

WEWS reported it would also pave the way for everyone entering critical transportation sites such as, train stations, airports and bus stations to show ID.For more click Post title

Gah! Wha?

I live in Ohio. Where did this bill come from?

Update: If you live in Ohio click here to find your represenative and write him or her and voice your opinion.

Senate Rejects Extension of Patriot Act

Yes, yes, and yes!

Forbes.com: "In a stinging defeat for President Bush, Senate Democrats blocked passage Friday of a new Patriot Act to combat terrorism at home, depicting the measure as a threat to the constitutional liberties of innocent Americans.

Republicans spurned calls for a short-term measure to prevent the year-end expiration of law enforcement powers first enacted in the anxious days after Sept. 11, 2001. 'The president will not sign such an extension,' said Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., and lawmakers on each side of the issue blamed the other for congressional gridlock on the issue.

The Senate voted 52-47 to advance a House-passed bill to a final vote, eight short of the 60 needed to overcome the filibuster backed by nearly all Senate Democrats and a handful of the 45 Republicans.

The Patriot Act was only supposed to be temporary to begin with.

As the Stones would say, let it bleed.

Scandal Emerges Over US Wire Taps

Wha?

One News - President George W. Bush refused to discuss a report that he secretly authorized a US agency to eavesdrop on people in America but said everything he does to protect the public against terrorism is within the law.

The New York Times said Bush signed a secret presidential order after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to allow the National Security Agency to track the international telephone calls and emails of hundreds of people without the court approval normally required for domestic spying.

Uh, didn't "Tricky Dick" get himself into a bunch of hotwater for illegal wire taps?

Is history repeating itself?

Now Wait A Minute

If it is not appropriate to comment on one investigation, it is not appropriate to comment on a jury trial either.

White House Defends Bush Comments on DeLay By JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer Thu Dec 15, 8:40 PM ET WASHINGTON - The White House on Thursday defended President Bush's decision to insert himself into Tom DeLay's legal case, saying Bush was employing "presidential prerogative" when he declared the former House majority leader was innocent of criminal charges in Texas.

On Wednesday, Bush was asked during an interview on Fox News Channel whether he believed DeLay was innocent. "Yes, I do," Bush replied.

DeLay, R-Texas, was forced to step down as the No. 2 House leader in late November after he was indicted on a state charge of conspiracy to violate election laws. A second grand jury indicted him on charges of conspiracy to launder money and money laundering. The initial charge has been dismissed, but a judge has let stand the later charges.

"We don't typically tend to get into discussing legal matters of that nature. But in this instance, the president chose to respond to it," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said. "Call it presidential prerogative."

Bush and his aides have refused to answer almost any question related to a CIA leak case, saying it would be inappropriate.Full Text

Am I saying the President is trying to influence the case. No. But the perception is there. Also, shouldn't he just say nothing for the sake of consistency?

White House to Accept Torture Ban

By LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writer 33 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - After months of resistance, the White House has agreed to accept Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record)'s call for a law specifically banning cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of foreign suspects in the war on terror, several congressional officials said Thursday.

Under the emerging deal, the CIA and other civilian interrogators would be given the same legal rights as currently guaranteed members of the military who are accused of breaking interrogation guidelines, these officials added. Those rules say the accused can defend themselves by arguing it was reasonable for them to believe they were obeying a legal order.

Full Text

As usual one of the guys we like, Senator John McCain, sticks to his guns.  This time he came out a winner. 

Cunningham Submits Resignation; Watchdog Complains About Pension

Yes, I know this is old news by now, but man, the Republicans really aren't looking all that good right now, are they?

SFGate.com - Cunningham's congressional pension would be around $40,000 per year, according to an Office of Personnel Management formula. Only a conviction for a crime against the United States would cause him to lose it, the office said.

And yeah, I think he should lose his Congressional pension as well.