HR2417, otherwise know as the "INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004" was recently (In December 13, 2003) passed through the House Of Representatives, but the act was passed with the Representatives, knowing little to nothing about the act. For example, the true level of funding involved in this Act, But the most frightening part of this act is what seems to be the start of a bit by bit implementation of the Patriot Act II which was leaked early last year.

The Patriot Act II caused a public outcry, yet its seems the creators of the act are still trying to bring the Patriot Act II to life by slowly implementing small portions of the it.

HR2417 expands police powers, by enabling them to obtain records from "financial institutions" without having to obtain a court order, furthermore the act expands the definition of "financial institutions" to include jewellery stores, stockbrokers, the US postal service, and casino's. It also prohibits these institutions from informing the person(s) who's records were obtained about the release of this information, this is an extreme invasion of a person's privacy and it is only to get worse if more of the Patriot Act II is passed through into US law.

The expansion of Police powers was written into the act at the last minute, so if we are to watch for further implementations of the Patriot Act II, it is going to require the vigilant watching of bills brought in front of the House Of Representatives, to watch for Patriot Act II powers being hidden in other bills.

Submitted by: Xayto