December 12th, 2005
Bloated Patriot Act a political Christmas tree?
Worth reading: Declan McCullagh writes about the proposed renewal of the Patriot Act, describing the 219-page conference report as a political version of a Christmas tree, ornamented with dozens of senators’ pet projects. Here’s a sample of the ornaments tacked on to the Patriot Act:
Reduces the amount of contraband cigarettes that qualifies as a federal crime. The number drops from 60,000 cigarettes to 10,000.
Creates a new federal crime of photographing or videotaping bridges, garages, tracks, warehouses, or other facilities used by railroads, boats, or airplanes–if such recordings were made with the intent of doing harm. Anyone attacking anyone else near such facilities with a weapon–the list includes "a pocket knife with a blade of less than 2 1⁄2 inches in length and a box cutter"–can be punished with stiff prison terms and even the death penalty.
Increases electronic surveillance of visitors and tourists by ditching a requirement that a surveillance target must be an agent of a "foreign power." Extends electronic monitoring of visitors’ and tourists’ Internet activities and telephone dialing habits from 90 days to one year.
Boosts criminal penalties: Possessing methamphetamine for distribution to a minor yields a prison term of up to 20 years. Requires a "feasibility study" of a new federal drug court, and funds mandatory drug testing.
Dan Farber, editor-in-chief of CNET News.com, has more than 20 years of experience as an editor and journalist covering technology. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
