LAT: WH "Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board" yet to meet.

[RSchewe]

Privacy Guardian Is Still a Paper Tiger - Los Angeles Times

"By Richard B. Schmitt, Times Staff Writer

WASHINGTON — For Americans troubled by the prospect of federal agents eavesdropping on their phone conversations or combing through their Internet records, there is good news: A little-known board exists in the White House whose purpose is to ensure that privacy and civil liberties are protected in the fight against terrorism.

Someday, it might actually meet.

Initially proposed by the bipartisan commission that investigated the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board was created by the intelligence overhaul that President Bush signed into law in December 2004.

More than a year later, it exists only on paper.

Foot-dragging, debate over its budget and powers, and concern over the qualifications of some of its members — one was treasurer of Bush's first campaign for Texas governor — has kept the board from doing a single day of work.

On Thursday, after months of delay, the Senate Judiciary Committee took a first step toward standing up the fledgling watchdog, approving the two lawyers Bush nominated to lead the panel. But it may take months before the board is up and running and doing much serious work.

Critics say the inaction shows the administration is just going through the motions when it comes to civil liberties.

"They have stalled in giving the board adequate funding. They have stalled in making appointments," said Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.). "It is apparent they are not taking this seriously."

The Sept. 11 commission also has expressed reservations about the commitment to the liberties panel.

"We felt it was absolutely vital," said Thomas H. Kean, the Republican former governor of New Jersey who led the commission. "We had certainly hoped it would have been up and running a long time ago."

The inaction is especially noteworthy in light of recent events. Some Republicans joined Democrats to delay renewal of the anti-terrorism Patriot Act because of civil liberties concerns. And the disclosure in December that Bush approved surveillance of certain U.S. residents' international communications without a court order has caused bipartisan dismay in Congress."

more...

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-liberties20feb20,0,5039697.story?track=tothtml

[MADem]

1. How fucking Orwellian, to even have a board to OVERSEE privacy

Oxymoronic at best--or morons on oxy at worst!!!

[rodeodance]

2. looks more the fox guarding the chicky coop--Tx crony on it.

[rodeodance]

3. k and r.

[Charlie Brown]

4. "The Committee for Public Safety" n/t

[Trillo]

5. Sounds like another Rubber Stamp Department.

The idea was to have professionals ask hard questions about whether the government was going too far in collecting and disseminating information about suspected terrorists, and to have those professionals make their views known in regular reports to the president.

President's Executive Branch is going to report to the President's Executive Branch on the President's Executive Branch compliance with civil liberties? :rofl:

:grr: A real check and balance. /sarcasm

[mom cat]

6. "We felt it was absolutely vital," said Thomas H. Kean

Right Tom!
I think I'll pass on the swamp land also.

[Solly Mack]

7. Surprised?

Anyone?

Exactly

[MichiganVote]

8. Must be managed by Elmer Fudd