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Re: FW: Wiretap Bill Update

>If any of you out there feel strongly about privacy from government (cop) 
>intrusion, then this will really piss you off!!!!
> ----------
[forwarded article having nothing to do with debate talking about "the FBI
wiretap bill" deleted]

I know this is really outside the bounds of this forum (and I would
recommend not posting this sort of article to the list in the future), but
I have to briefly answer what I belive may be alarmist misinformation:

The bill in question, unless things have changed in the last month or two,
is in fact very different from the bill proposed by the FBI.  In fact, many
qualified sources believe the bill will in fact make it more difficult for
the FBI to obtain wiretaps, since now they need departmental permission
(from a superior in the department) and with the new bill, they will
require a court order (warrant).

The compromise bill was crafted in part by a man I personally place great
trust in, Sen. Leahy of Vermont, and is not being opposed by some important
privacy watchdog groups (sorry, can't find my cite to be more specific).

Yes, the bill is a compromise, but the feeling I have seen (at least in a
recent WIRED article) is that supporting this bill may well prevent a worse
bill (such as the one originally proposed by the FBI) from passing soon,
given public fear of crime, etc.

Again, sorry I cannot be more specific (brain is fuzzy, cites are missing),
and also sorry that I am taking your time on this non-debate issue.  Just
wanted to avoid potential misinformation.

Glenn
Archive created by Jonathan Stanton (jonathan@cs.jhu.edu)
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