In uplifting comments to Reuters, a spokesman for the Obama administration stated that should the Patriot Act expire on June 1st, the bulk data collection undertaken by the NSA and other agencies will cease.

From Reuters:

NSC spokesman Ned Price told Reuters the administration had decided to stop bulk collection of domestic call metadata unless Congress re-authorizes it. Some legal experts have suggested that even if Congress does not extend the law the administration might be able to convince the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to authorize collection under other authorities. Price made clear the administration does not intend to do so. The administration is encouraging Congress to enact legislation in the coming weeks that would allow collection to continue. “If Section 215 (of the law which covers the collection) sunsets, we will not continue the bulk telephony metadata program,” he said. “Allowing Section 215 to sunset would result in the loss, going forward, of a critical national security tool that is used in a variety of additional contexts that do not involve the collection of bulk data.”

I have already written about the myth that the collection of cell phone records and other forms of domestic spying undertaken in the name of national security have actually resulted in real-world benefits in regards to stopping terrorism. Long story short, it hasn’t, and despite unbelievably exaggerated (and debunked) claims that some “50 terrorist plots” had been foiled, the programs yield few measurable benefits to security agencies.

One would think, in the face of clear-cut evidence that this is simply a time and money wasting proposition that infringes on the individual rights of every American, our representatives would vote to put the beast down. Sadly, there is little guarantee that will be forthcoming.

The USA Freedom Act, which was a sort-of step in the right direction that halfheartedly attempted to remove the NSA’s domestic spying ability was voted down in the Senate in November of last year. If that legislation, which only defanged the NSA’s powers on a very cosmetic level couldn’t even pass, what are the odds that Neocons and other warhawk representatives on both sides of the aisle won’t renew the Patriot Act? We know Reps Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Mark Pocan (D-WI) will vote against it in the House, as they have just introduced a bill to end surveillance just this week, but past them you can likely count on two hands those who would be confident to oppose it.

Tack on the calls for action against ISIS, the ongoing battle against the resurgent Taliban and the new U.S. actions in Tikrit, and you have ample reason for the stalwart supporters of the Patriot Act to continue to beat the drum, even if the rhythm is out of beat and the results are worthless.

I think we’re saddled with this blight on American liberty for at least a few more years. In the meantime, we can dream of a day when we’re safe from the prying eyes and ears of our own government and feed ourselves hope for the future with scraps like these that hint at a better tomorrow.

Liberty Links!

– Inquiry launched into New Zealand mass surveillance.

– Accusations made that San Fran jails forced inmates to fight like gladiators.



– AZ lawmakers send bill to governor that would block women from buying insurance that includes abortion coverage through the federal health care exchange.

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