Next generation wiretaps

The hypocrisy of Republicans will reach new heights this week as they challenge new proposals from the Obama administration to allow law enforcement agencies to conduct "wiretaps" of new communications technologies. This comment on the New York Times story perfectly exemplifies wingnut hysteria.

Obama and the Democrats are trying to turn this country into a police state. They must be stopped.

This is a striking example of IOKIYAR in action, with Republicans who cheered as The Worst President Ever mounted a full assault on personal liberties now whining about the mean old Democrats. I guess Republicans, for all their happy talk, don't actually believe in law and order.

“We’re talking about lawfully authorized intercepts,” said Valerie E. Caproni, general counsel for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “We’re not talking expanding authority. We’re talking about preserving our ability to execute our existing authority in order to protect the public safety and national security.”

I've been a member and supporter of the ACLU for years, and I expect they'll have major concerns about this new proposal, as will many progressives. But from where I sit, this Obama administration proposal looks like an important and necessary policy. Law enforcement agencies need all the lawful tools they can get to fight back against organized crime, terrorism and corporate fraud.