The investigation of strip club owner Michael Galardi and numerous politicians appears to be the first time federal authorities have used the Patriot Act in a public corruption probe.
Government officials said Tuesday they knew of no other instances in which federal agents investigating allegations such as racketeering and bribery of politicians have employed the act.
...Two of Nevada's lawmakers blasted the FBI for employing the act in the Galardi probe, saying the agency overstepped its bounds.
Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Congress intended the Patriot Act to help federal authorities root out threats from terrorists and spies after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
"The law was intended for activities related to terrorism and not to naked women," said Reid, who as minority whip is the second most powerful Democrat in the Senate.
"Let me say, with Galardi and his whole gang, I don't condone, appreciate or support all their nakedness. But having said that, I haven't heard anyone say at any time he was involved with terrorism."
I'm gonna guess that this one has the prints of Herr AssKKKroft all over it. Strip club? We're talking about a guy who covered the breasts of Miss Liberty. He hates bare breasts. Bare breasts are terrorists determined to bring down the United States of America.
My god Senator Reid! Who in his right mind would condone nakedness? We know you wouldn't. But that was good thinking there to make that perfectly clear before the High Inquisitor's minions. In fact, if I were you, just to be safe, I'd put it in writing and have it witnessed. By a Republican notary.
[Spokesman for the Department of Justice Mark] Corallo said federal law enforcement officials have no qualms about using the act to pursue an array of criminal investigations that have nothing to do with terrorism, such as child pornography, drug trafficking and money laundering.
(Not to mention having no qualms about using Homeland Security resources to track down Texas Democrats trying to block Republican redistricting.)
...Sources said the FBI sought the records under Section 314 of the act. That section allows federal investigators to obtain information from any financial institution regarding the accounts of people "engaged in or reasonably suspected, based on credible evidence, of engaging in terrorist acts or money laundering activities."
...Corallo insisted lawmakers were fully aware the Patriot Act had far-reaching implications beyond fighting terrorism when the legislation was adopted in October 2001.
"I think probably a lot of members (of Congress) were only interested in the anti-terrorism measures," Corallo said. "But when the Judiciary Committee sat down, both Republicans and Democrats, they obviously discussed the applications, that certain provisions could be used in regular criminal investigations."
That shows how well Corallo knows Congress members.
They didn't read the PATRIOT ACT before they signed it. They admitted as much (and then complained it wasn't their fault - they were pressed for time). These people are derelict, and that's the kindest word I can come up with for them.
Have a look at how they handled the $87.5 billion to Iraq:
The Senate gave its final approval on Monday to President Bush's request for $87.5 billion to occupy and rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan, completing Congressional action on the largest emergency spending bill ever sought by a president.
The Senate's action came on a voice vote with only six members present, meaning that the decisions of individual members on the administration's vision for Iraq were not recorded. Not voting on the record appealed to both Republicans nervous about explaining the amount to their constituents, and Democrats who did not want their patriotism questioned for opposing the bill. On Friday, the House voted 298 to 121 in favor of the bill. The bill now goes to the president for his signature.
God bless America.
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....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
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