The usual governmental rhetoric. Again, I'm not seeing achnowledgement from anyone except maybe the ACLU that there's no evidence that such tactics would have stopped the TWA bombing - not that they would be justified even if it would have. Legalized drugs, etcetera would free up quite enough law enforcement to take care of the problem. -Allen
Cobb Group - Netscape
FBI DIRECTOR: WIRETAP PROPOSALS WON'T THREATEN LIBERTIES
Copyright © 1996 Nando.net Copyright © 1996 The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (Aug 1, 1996 1:41 p.m. EDT) -- FBI Director Louis Freeh said today Americans are under increasing attack by terrorists and proposed new wiretapping authority would not greatly expand government's powers.
"The country and the American people have been experiencing an increasing war against them by terrorists and terrorist-supported activities," Freeh told a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing. Americans "are clearly under attack and we are the prime targets for this kind of terrorism."
[...]
Freeh said the wiretap proposals do not involve "expansive powers" for the government and would not lead to "an avalanche of new electronic surveillance."
A leading GOP opponent of an earlier, more sweeping anti-terrorism bill said today he didn't believe Congress could enact a new package before its recess this weekend.
"I think it would be very difficult to do in light of the logistics and the opposition," Rep. Bob Barr, R-Ga., told reporters. "The (anti-terrorism) funding is there. No new laws are needed."
Asked about Barr's comments, Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, head of a bipartisan task force that has been negotiating with administration officials on the anti-terrorism proposals, said, "That's part of the obstacle. It's what we have to deal with. What we do has to reach the level of consensus."
The negotiators, led by Craig and White House chief of staff Leon Panetta, said they hoped to have a package ready for a vote by week's end before Congress leaves for its August recess.