Big Bro is at it again

US wants increased police access to email

The above links to a story that is worrisome to me. It was not so long ago that there was an uproar over the Bush administration seeking wiretaps on calls to known terrorists or people suspected of terrorist ties outside the country. Not inside the country but outside. Let me explain that a bit. It affected only calls made to points outside the country, not calls that stayed inside the country. These were not warrant-less. The warrants were obtained through the FISA court.

In the story I have linked to, it reveals that this administration seeks to have access to ALL emails and electronic communications without seeking a warrant at all. We would simply have to rely on the judgment of the FBI that these are important to national security.

My question is:

Where is the outrage?

Where is the ACLU? Where are the Washington Post, the New York Times, and the rest of the so-called "mainstream news media" complaining about this intrusion into citizen's privacy. I believe I can hear crickets chirping... But the Daily Kos is not happy (though it seems a bit muted compared to complaints about the previous administration).

This has come out of the Patriot Act. An extension of powers that the administration seeks from Congress. And it is more proof that Congress should be careful about what powers it grants to any administration. The next one might not be trustworthy. It might be more abusive in wielding the power Congress granted.

Let us hope that Congress wakes up and denies this. But I am not holding my breath.