] ``Our ability to prevent another catastrophic attack on
] American soil would be more difficult if not impossible
] without the (USA) Patriot Act,'' Ashcroft told the House
] Judiciary Committee. But ``the law has several weaknesses
] which terrorists could exploit, undermining our
] defenses.''

So does the CIA. You doing anything about that, Ashcroft?

] Ashcroft said he wants the law changed so that anyone
] supporting or working with suspected terrorist groups can
] be prosecuted as ``material supporters;''

I can see this one getting twisted into abuses REAL quick. You donated money to a charity that turns out to be a terrorist front? Well, guess the gov't is seizing your assets and you're going to jail. You sold computer parts to a guy who turs out to be a hacker? You're going to jail too. I know, it seems unlikely, but passing bills like the Patriot Act seemed unlikely 5 years ago, too.

] all terrorist
] acts can result in the death penalty or, at least, life
] in prison; and suspected terrorists can be held
] indefinitely before trial.

This is going too far. Much, much too far. "All" terrorist acts do not deserve the death penalty, considering what are defined as "terrorist acts" by the government.

Um, does anyone happen to remember that computer crimes are considered terrorism now? What else is on the list to be considered terrorism? Saying the President of the US is a totalitarian pig? Making fun of Ashcroft's bad hair? I'm not interested in living in the kind of regime I'm seeing develop.

] ``In criminal cases where public safety is a concern such
] as drug dealing, organized crime and gun crimes,
] defendants in federal crimes are presumptively denied
] pretrial release,'' Ashcroft said. ``It seems as though
] the crime of terrorism should have the same
] presumption.''

Yes, but they are given access to lawyers, while terrorists are not.

I'm really worried now. I thought I was worried before, but it's just getting worse. This is madness.

Guardian Unlimited | World Latest | Ashcroft Wants Broader Anti-Terror Powers