Patriot Act renewal would create a new federal police force

[quaoar]

This is pretty scary.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/cpquery/?&dbname=cp109&sid=cp109Ct6ND&refer=&r_n=hr333.109&item=&sel=TOC_208072

`Sec. 3056A. Powers, authorities, and duties of United States Secret Service Uniformed Division

`(a) There is hereby created and established a permanent police force, to be known as the `United States Secret Service Uniformed Division'. Subject to the supervision of the Secretary of Homeland Security, the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division shall perform such duties as the Director, United States Secret Service, may prescribe in connection with the protection of the following:

You can also read about it here:

http://talkleft.com/new_archives/013796.html

[lynne]

1. More info here -

http://www.secretservice.gov/ud.shtml

[onenote]

2. Not Scary.

Despite the ravings of some bloggers, this provision in the Patriot Act extension doesn't do much of anything. There are plenty of things in the Patriot Act extension worth fighting. This isn't one of them.

explained in detail.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=201297&mesg_id=209673

onenote

[nickyt]

3. One of "the following" is:

`(11) An event designated under section 3056(e) of title 18 as a special event of national significance.

I can't find exactly what section 3056(e) of title 18 is about, but it looks like this provision covers whatever may constitute a "special event" in the minds of this admin?

Truly scary, truly.

[Fire Walk With Me]

4. Does it say that? Bush called Iraqi oil a National Emergency, twice.

Even signed law to that effect. But don't worry, US soldiers gained control of the southern Iraqi oil fields in the second day of the invasion, as far as I remember.

[Igel]

5. Title 18, section 3056

(e)(1) When directed by the President, the United States Secret
Service is authorized to participate, under the direction of the
Secretary of Homeland Security, in the planning, coordination, and
implementation of security operations at special events of national
significance, as determined by the President.
(2) At the end of each fiscal year, the President through such
agency or office as the President may designate, shall report to
the Congress -
(A) what events, if any, were designated special events of
national significance for security purposes under paragraph (1);
and
(B) the criteria and information used in making each
designation.

Somehow it sounds non-threatening. Not-so-routine celebrations and meetings?

Updated for link:
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/ts_search.pl?title=18&sec=3056

[onenote]

6. NSSE's

The designation of "events of special national significance" (acronym: NSSEs) was something started in 1998 by Bill Clinton in Presidential Decision Directive 62 (which is largely classified). Since 1999, the Secret Service has led federal security operations at 14 NSSEs, including the 2000 and 2004 Republican and Democratic National Conventions, the 2001 and 2005 Presidential Inaugurations, the 2001 United Nations General Assembly, the G-8 Summit in Georgia, the World Economic Forum meeting in DC,Reagan's funeral, the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah and Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans. All that the new provision does with respect to NSSEs is make clear that the Uniformed Division has jurisdiction over NSSEs even if a protected person isn't presetn (they already have jurisdiction at any event where a protected person is present). Interestingly, it is likely that a "protected person" was present at every one of these events, with the possible exception of the Olympics and the Super Bowl (but probably even there).



onenote

[Igel]

7. Thanks much.

Seems reasonable and to the point.

Scare tactics, viz. taking bits of legislation out of context, serve no good end, and happen all too frequently. I should have searched a bit further, and finished the job.