Bush administration planning burst of regulations.

[vhx]

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/...sh_rules_are_1112.html

The Bush administration has been planning since last spring to issue a final burst of federal regulations just before leaving office. It was recently announced that over 90 new regulations would be finalized before November 22 -- 60 days prior to the end of Bush's term -- making them difficult, though not impossible, for President Obama to reverse.

Although many of the regulations have to do with energy and the environment, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow noted on Tuesday that there's also "one that'll kick opponents of the Patriot Act right in the teeth."

The proposed regulation "would allow state and local law enforcement agencies to collect intelligence on individuals and organizations even if the information is unrelated to any criminal matter," Maddow explained. She added, "Even if they weren't already watching you -- they soon could be."
...

You give them a little slack for 'terrorism' and they start coming after... everyone. Is Bush trying to get his approval to a straight 0 or what? The big brother behavior gets more and more disturbing each year. It seems the government is doing its best to stomp all over the privacy of Americans these days and no one seems to care.

Cue the ignorant "It's, ok. I have nothing to hide." mentality.

 

[spidey07]

Would have to come from a democrat controlled congress so it's their fault, not Bush.

 

[OrByte]

Id like to know more about those "energy and environment" regulations.

we all know Big Brother is here...no surprise there.

but the battle against the environment is key...and Bush doesnt have the greatest record of protecting the environment and seeking solutions for energy.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Would have to come from a democrat controlled congress so it's their fault, not Bush.

It takes two to tango. Both would be equally responsible.

EDIT: IF and only if a law actually gets passed. If Bush accomplishes this through other means that bypass Congress, then it would only be his fault.

 

[marincounty]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Would have to come from a democrat controlled congress so it's their fault, not Bush.

I believe these are issued by the administration, not voted on by Congress.
Sorry if it doesn't fit your notion that Dems want to take away your rights.

 

[spidey07]

lol! Read the rest of the article. Crackpot alert, sound the sirens!

""Here's the harm," Zirin replied. "It has a chilling effect on the Constitution. It has a chilling effect on our ability to assemble. ... We need to be welcoming new people into community activism, welcoming new people into struggle. And what you have instead is people looking at each other in Maryland as if, 'Is that person an enemy? Is this person a plant?'"

"And it has a horrible effect," concluded Zirin, "right at a time where in the wake of the Obama victory we should be talking about solidarity, we should be talking about expanding our forces, we should be talking about fighting for the change that we all waited on line to vote for.""

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

So, what are you going to do about it?

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Would have to come from a democrat controlled congress so it's their fault, not Bush.

In general, Congress only provides the framework for regulation. The Executive provides the specifics about how agencies should act, unless Congress clarifies its earlier outline.

 

[DealMonkey]

According to Politico.com:

It could take Obama years to undo climate rules finalized more than 60 days before he takes office ? the advantage the White House sought by getting them done by Nov. 1. But that strategy doesn?t account for the Congressional Review Act of 1996.

The law contains a clause determining that any regulation finalized within 60 legislative days of congressional adjournment is considered to have been legally finalized on the 15th legislative day of the new Congress, likely sometime in February. Congress then has 60 days to review it and reverse it with a joint resolution that can?t be filibustered in the Senate.

In other words, any regulation finalized in the last half-year of the Bush administration could be wiped out with a simple party-line vote in the Democrat-controlled Congress.

Wow, wouldn't that be hilarious? All of these midnight regulations wiped out by one Congressional vote? All because the Bush Administration didn't do the math correctly?

:laugh:

I don't know if I can contain my derisive laughter.

 

[techs]

Originally posted by: spidey07
lol! Read the rest of the article. Crackpot alert, sound the sirens!

""Here's the harm," Zirin replied. "It has a chilling effect on the Constitution. It has a chilling effect on our ability to assemble. ... We need to be welcoming new people into community activism, welcoming new people into struggle. And what you have instead is people looking at each other in Maryland as if, 'Is that person an enemy? Is this person a plant?'"

"And it has a horrible effect," concluded Zirin, "right at a time where in the wake of the Obama victory we should be talking about solidarity, we should be talking about expanding our forces, we should be talking about fighting for the change that we all waited on line to vote for.""

I saw the show. She interviewed a guy who was a sportscaster and who joined an anti-death penalty group. The group was completly non violent and never even though of picketing. They just wrote letters urging the end of the death penalty.
So the government sent spies into the group. And when it was determined they never planned anything illegal the government STILL decided to keep them under surviellance. That is the purpose of these new policies. To allow the government to 'investigate' you and keep secret information on you, even after the government has determined there is no reason to think you are threat.
Not so wacky now, is it?

 

[palehorse]

The proposed regulation "would allow state and local law enforcement agencies to collect intelligence on individuals and organizations even if the information is unrelated to any criminal matter,"

That's some scary shit.

 

[DealMonkey]

Well, we've known for a while that the FBI routinely tries to infiltrate peaceful protest groups. In fact, they've been doing it since the civil rights era. Apparently, they seem to think they'll find Osama Bin Ladin at a food not bombs rally. Pfffft. :laugh:

 

[sactoking]

Silly question: WHY would it be so hard for Obama to nullify these?

If it's an Executive Order or Executive Regulation, why can't the current/new Executive Officer just issue a new order that says "Hey, you know how you were told to do this 61 days ago? We're not doing it that way any more."?

 

[soccerballtux]

Originally posted by: palehorse

The proposed regulation "would allow state and local law enforcement agencies to collect intelligence on individuals and organizations even if the information is unrelated to any criminal matter,"

That's some scary shit.

Honestly, not sure why they're doing this, it's just going to make me like Obama more (and I don't like him much at all, voted for McCain) if he repeals this stuff.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Originally posted by: soccerballtux

Originally posted by: palehorse

The proposed regulation "would allow state and local law enforcement agencies to collect intelligence on individuals and organizations even if the information is unrelated to any criminal matter,"

That's some scary shit.

Honestly, not sure why they're doing this, it's just going to make me like Obama more (and I don't like him much at all, voted for McCain) if he repeals this stuff.

You don't think his "Civilian National Security" force won't be doing the same thing?

 

[ebaycj]

Originally posted by: sactoking
Silly question: WHY would it be so hard for Obama to nullify these?

If it's an Executive Order or Executive Regulation, why can't the current/new Executive Officer just issue a new order that says "Hey, you know how you were told to do this 61 days ago? We're not doing it that way any more."?

Exactly. I don't see what the panic is about.

UNLESS of course this is not overturned by the next president / congress.

Let's face it though. GWB sucks at life. If repubs couldn't admit it before, they should be able to now. How is it "conservative" to spy on your own citizens?

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: BrunoPuntzJones

Originally posted by: soccerballtux

Originally posted by: palehorse

The proposed regulation "would allow state and local law enforcement agencies to collect intelligence on individuals and organizations even if the information is unrelated to any criminal matter,"

That's some scary shit.

Honestly, not sure why they're doing this, it's just going to make me like Obama more (and I don't like him much at all, voted for McCain) if he repeals this stuff.

You don't think his "Civilian National Security" force won't be doing the same thing?

Not a chance in hell would they be doing the same thing.

 

[Muse]

It's probably best if the transition doesn't go too smoothly. Obama's administration will get more traction if there's some healthy rancor.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: OrByte
Id like to know more about those "energy and environment" regulations.

we all know Big Brother is here...no surprise there.

but the battle against the environment is key...and Bush doesnt have the greatest record of protecting the environment and seeking solutions for energy.

My impression is that Bush has almost no record of protecting the environment and seeking solutions for energy.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: sactoking
Silly question: WHY would it be so hard for Obama to nullify these?

If it's an Executive Order or Executive Regulation, why can't the current/new Executive Officer just issue a new order that says "Hey, you know how you were told to do this 61 days ago? We're not doing it that way any more."?

My thoughts too. I guess Bush is feeling pouty now that he senses that his power is quickly waning.

 

[m1ldslide1]

Yeah I don't care how 'difficult' it is to overturn this garbage - getting it done at all will be an easy early-term victory for the new administration. It's like they're setting him up to succeed...

 

[First]

Not going to happen. This isn't Red China, whose own people don't care nearly as much about civil liberties as we do.

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: BrunoPuntzJones

Originally posted by: soccerballtux

Originally posted by: palehorse

The proposed regulation "would allow state and local law enforcement agencies to collect intelligence on individuals and organizations even if the information is unrelated to any criminal matter,"

That's some scary shit.

Honestly, not sure why they're doing this, it's just going to make me like Obama more (and I don't like him much at all, voted for McCain) if he repeals this stuff.

You don't think his "Civilian National Security" force won't be doing the same thing?

Civilian intelligence.. You know like the CIA and the NSA?

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Evan
Not going to happen. This isn't Red China, whose own people don't care nearly as much about civil liberties as we do.

Really? Warrantless wiretapping has happened millions of times. I don't see the lemmings taking to the streets over that, as they should. This will pass, too, to save everyone from the boogeyman.

 

[DarrelSPowers]

You think the feds keep an eye on these forums?

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