- "These requests belong in some bizarre
conspiracy novel, not in serious legislative documents..."
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- WASHINGTON -- Rep. Bob Barr, R-GA, yesterday released information exposing
an effort by the Department of Justice to obtain massive new enforcement
powers in the closing days of the 105th Congress.
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- Barr obtained the information from a
confidential source within federal law enforcement. Among other things,
the Department's "wish list" for new authority includes (among
others):
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- A vastly expanded definition of terrorism
to include domestic crimes having no relationship to terrorism.
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- The power to seize commercial transportation
assets for federal use.
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- The ability to commandeer personnel from
other federal agencies without reimbursement.
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- Expanded wiretap authority to allow "roving"
wiretaps, and wiretaps without any court authority.
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- Enlarged asset forfeiture provisions
to allow the FBI to seize personal property in both criminal and civil
matters.
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- The establishment of a permanent "FBI
Police Force."
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- Loosening of Posse Comitatus restrictions
to allow more military involvement in domestic law enforcement.
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- Authority to force telephone and Internet
companies to divulge information on their customers.
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- "These requests belong in some bizarre
conspiracy novel, not in serious legislative documents being circulated
at the top levels of federal law enforcement. These proposals represent
a sneak attack on the most cherished principles of our democracy. If they
become a part of our law, freedom and privacy in America will be permanently
and severely diminished," said Barr. Barr also noted the Department
and the FBI are "shopping" this wish list in an effort to get
the items placed in a spending measure without hearings or debate.
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