Pirate's Cove

But don’t say they are un-patriotic or soft on national security!

House Democrats yesterday introduced a bill that would restrict the government"s power to eavesdrop on foreign terrorism suspects.

The legislation calls for rolling back a temporary expansion of electronic eavesdropping authority that the Democrat-led Congress approved in August. The Bush administration said the powers were needed to aid the war on terror, but liberal groups condemned them as an assault on civil liberties.

"This bill shows that it is possible to protect civil liberties and fight terrorism at the same time," said Rep. John Conyers Jr. of Michigan, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, who co-sponsored the bill with fellow Democrat Rep. Silvestre Reyes of Texas, chairman of the intelligence committee.

The bill — dubbed the Responsible Electronic Surveillance That is Overseen, Reviewed and Effective Act of 2007, or the RESTORE Act — would require intelligence agencies to apply for a one-year "blanket" or "basket" authorization to spy on a group of overseas targets.

Why do we have to be responsible when using surveillence on non-American citizens, particularly on those who are associated with terrorism? Why do we even care? They are not entitled to America civil rights. I can give you 2,996 reasons that we should not care. But, Democrats want to give our rights to everyone around the world, including the types of people and groups that provide the 2,996 reasons. This is not a Party that is strong on national security. Hell, lots of them do not even believe their is a threat from Islamic terrorists, much less a global war on Islamic terrorism. They have shown themselves to be Pinkos when it comes to the security of the U.S.A. in a big way over the past 40 years, and nothing is going to change that. They talk tough at times, then to prove their bonafides, the vote pink.

The new bill also would add several oversight measures, including a FISA court review to make sure targets are outside the United States, quarterly audits by the Justice Department inspector general and an annual administration report on every U.S. person whose communication was intercepted.

More beauracracy to slow the process down. Great.

"Rather than responding to the urgent needs of our intelligence community, Democrats are giving unprecedented constitutional protections to terrorists, spies and other enemies overseas," said Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee. "The bill ignores well-established practices governing the collection of foreign intelligence information and will enhance our enemies’ ability to carry out deadly plots."

Democrats do not care about the intelligence community, except when they can supply secret documents so the Dems can attempt to score cheap political points by exposing national security projects.