Good morning . . .
Senate Judiciary Committee hearings today will center on the renewal of the Patriot Act. The Patriot Act was passed overwhelmingly after the 9/11 terror attacks. It gave the government broad powers to conduct surveillance on possible terrorist activity domestically. Many of its critics say the Act goes to far.
Former Attorney General John Ashcroft was unwilling to reduce or change any of the provisions of the law because it would weaken law enforcement efforts to find terrorist before they could attack again.
Justice Department officials confirm that Attorney General Roberto Gonzales will propose some changes in the law that may guarantee its renewal. Gonzales will support some "technical" changes. He will support changes in the secret warrants used to gather financial records, library data, and other business records. Gonzales will propose that the targets of these warrants will have the opportunity to mount a legal challenge to these searches.
Like many federal laws the Patriot Act has certain "sundown" provisions that will expire this year. The Judiciary Committee hearings will address those and other provisions.
Meanwhile,e, Dick Durbin (D-IL) is attempting to destroy many of the provisions of the Patriot Act by introducing legislation that will stroke most, if not all, expanded government powers to fight terrorism. It is unlikely Durbin will succeed in making America less safe.
Yahoo! News - Officials Urge Renewal of Patriot Act
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The Vatican has announced plans for the funeral of Pope John Paul II. The funeral will take place on Friday, April 8 at 10AM Rome time (#AM Eastern time). Officials are expecting over 2 million visitors to be in Rome for the week long mourning of the Pope. Attendees at the funeral will include 200 heads of state and other government officials from around the world.
President George W. Bush will head the US delegation that will include former Presidents Clinton and Bush and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. Rome and Vatican officials are gearing up for a security nightmare.
Yahoo! News - Ex-Presidents, Bush to Go to Pope Funeral
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A California appeals court has sent a mixed message to Californians on same-sex marriage and "domestic partners."
The court rules Monday that a new state law giving "domestic partners" the same rights as married couples does not violate the state's Defense of Marriage Initiative (Proposition 22).
In 2000, California voters approved Proposition 22 that defines marriage in California as between a man and a woman and is the only kind valid or recognized in California.
On Jan. 1, 2005, a new law went into affect, giving registered domestic partners "the same rights, protections, benefits, responsibilities, obligations and duties" as those conferred upon spouses.
The Campaign for Families and Children sued to block the domestic partner law on constitutional grounds that it illegally amended Proposition 22 without voter approval.
A trial judge in Sacrament ruled that the new law did not amend Proposition 22 and it could be enacted without voter approval. The appeals court agreed with the trial court.
Contrary to petitioners' suggestion, the Legislature has not created a 'marriage' by another name or granted domestic partners a status equivalent to married spouses," the ruling said.
Further appeals and a possible amendment to the state constitution are possible.
Court Upholds California's Domestic Partners Law -- 04/05/2005
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For your sports fans, the baseball season is in full swing and the University of North Carolina beat Illinois to become the NCAA Basketball Champion.
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More later.
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