The Obama administration is attempting to make it easier for the FBI to force companies like your phone company or cable company who provide your internet service to turn over to the FBI details of your personal Internet activity without a court order - if they say some magic words for which they'll need no proof. So far, all they're asking for without a warrant are the e-mail addresses of people you talk with, the times and dates on which your e-mails were sent and received, and your personal internet browser history. Government lawyers say “content” is not included in these searches of your computer without your consent and without a court warrant. At least yet. The Fourth Amendment, in its entirety, says, and I quote, "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." It definitely does NOT say that the FBI can come into your home electronically and search your personal papers and effects - in this case your computer - WITHOUT bothering to demonstrate probable cause to a judge, having a witness swear under oath that you're probably committing a crime, and have that judge then issue a warrant that specifically names the documents on your computer they want to search and seize. This is one of those areas where the Tea Party and Progressives are both concerned. Big Brother is on his way and it's up to us to yell...stop!
Big Brother is on his way and it's up to us to yell...stop!
By louisehartmann