Remember the Constitution?

FBI asks Congress for power to seize documents

The FBI on Tuesday asked the U.S. Congress for sweeping new powers to seize business or private records, ranging from medical information to book purchases, to investigate terrorism without first securing approval from a judge.

As opposed to:
Constitution for the United States of America – Bill of Rights – Article the sixth [Amendment IV]

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

The legislation is a new draft of the USA Patriot Act that, rather than letting provisions ‘sunset’ at the end of 2005, actually grants more powers for secret investigations. Maybe we should remind our folks on the U.S. Senate Committee on Intelligence that we haven’t forgotten about the Constitution and that they need to keep their grubby hands off our persons, houses, papers, and effects.