Secret Warrants Granted for Cellphone Tracking »

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  Aidenag

  Nov. 23, 2007, 3:15 a.m.

  This is exactly what people warned about happening due to the Bush administration's lax views on constitutional rights following 9/11 and the patriot act.

  First it was just the 'terrorists' who's rights we took away. Now its petty crimes, drug users and dealers, and as the article mentions, pretty much anyone they please with or without probable cause.

  What's next?
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  joeblowe

  Nov. 23, 2007, 12:30 p.m.

  Please notice THIS: According to this article, the FBI et al ARE going to the courts to get warrants as required by the Constitution. That's an improvement. Now, if the judges are not requiring the probable cause that is ALSO required by the constitution, that's yet another area the Supreme Court needs to address and get under control.
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  tkyrchncs

  Nov. 23, 2007, 1:09 p.m.

  The GPS locator can be turned off on many cell phones, and on mine it automatically cuts back on if you dial 911. The tower search does not operate if the phone is off. Complain to the judiciary if you are aware that they are not requiring CONCRETE, SPECIFIC information under probable cause, and find out if your cell phone carrier supplies information to law enforcement without a warrant.
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  walden3

  Nov. 23, 2007, 1:45 p.m.

  This is further proof of the continual desensitization of Americans to the government's degradation of our core set of values. Our core values aren't about who gets to marry who. It's about our constitutional rights. Without Americans continuously striving to protect our bill of rights we are only as free as our government allows us to be.
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  CORVIDIVS

  Nov. 23, 2007, 4:20 p.m.

  THE REAL BOGUS ABOUT ALL THIS is any joe terrorist,or target worth his salt has seen this story.It's easy as all hey to take someone's phone for a 'joyride',and then the supposed good guys are back to square one(1)... and ripping off someone's phone may indicate his/her life as well...
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  AmericanIdiot

  Nov. 23, 2007, 5:30 p.m.

  Government and police don't need chips to track our movements. Every cellphone has a GPS signal that goes out whenever the phone is turned on or off. Fairly accurate, so they say. They caught a murderer in New York City that way last year.

  Oh, but I repeat myself.

  Wait, it gets better. There is no need for a warrant or any probable cause for police to obtain cellphone records and locational data. All cellphone providers in the USA have signed contracts with the FCC, promising to allow real-time data flows of customer records.

  They don't need to be subpoenad, because they have already agreed to provide the information.

  In other words, the Feds are listening to potentially any call, for any reason, at any time, and they don't need to ask permission. It is inadmissable evidence, of course, but the cops usually find something better in the course of their searches and interrogations.
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  saintetienne

  Nov. 23, 2007, 5:47 p.m.

  "First it was just the 'terrorists' who's rights we took away. Now its petty crimes, drug users and dealers, and as the article mentions, pretty much anyone they please with or without probable cause."

  Yes, aidenag, I agree. We wouldn't want to strip drug traffikers, fugitives, criminal suspects and illegal immigrants of their God-given right to break laws, kill people and take advantage of all of the rights and benefits afforded to the hard-working, law-abiding taxpayer.

  This federal practice is a travesty! Guarantee laws, rights and priviliges to the criminal element, I say! Let them run wild and do whatever they want, without pesky government interference or cell-phone tracking, I say! They should be allowed to break laws, demean society and harm people without having their rights violated, I say!

  You Liberals are nuttier than a fruitcake.
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  AmericanIdiot

  Nov. 23, 2007, 6:25 p.m.

  An object in motion tends to stay in motion, unless met with by an equal and opposite force.

  - Sir Isaac Newton.

  This country has become what we have allowed it to become. We give them permission for all these evils, by going along, by not opposing, their efforts to gather all power in the hands of a priveliged elite caste. The solution is there before you. Do what you will with it.
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  nikkibabe

  Nov. 23, 2007, 8:37 p.m.

  Your "free" country is doomed. You will be like another Soviet Bloc country during the communist regime.

  Welcome back to the Bulganin era Yankees.

  I wonder if you still sing the star sprangled banner, does it have meaning anymore under the current CEO you have in the White House.
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  1-2-Oscar

  Nov. 23, 2007, 11:10 p.m.

  The law enforcement agencies want to use a readily available tool to track "drug traffickers, fugitives and other criminal suspects." It is startling to see how many oppose that sort of activity by the law enforcement people. Yet no one actually says that they support the "drug traffickers, fugitives and other criminal suspects."
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  CORVIDIVS

  Nov. 24, 2007, 1:27 a.m.

  ... i haven't read all the posts,but it's a football thingy,isn't it,if the feds really aren't beholden to ask.it's the stated intention in a way of business as usual,and sort of a setting of precedent in a madisonish sort of way.once again the research is probably a fait accompli with just formalities,an apology,especially after the breech has been worn well in,the pair of shoes having trodden down this trail more than we should like to wonder.yup.a spin doctor thingy to make sure we are acclimatized;not unlike a salesman closing that final door.buttoning down a contract.we won't then be able to say they didn't WARN us...
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  Justice4All

  Nov. 24, 2007, 5:15 a.m.

  It sounds like a great way to track criminals, but the reality is that anyone with the proper connections in government can track anyone. Spouses, girlfriends etc. Many people in the cellphone companies can do the same.

  Most people think they can only be tracked if they make a call. But they can be tracked anytime the phone is on and connected to a network.
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  CORVIDIVS

  Nov. 24, 2007, 11:01 a.m.

  I WOULDS JUST BE LIKEN TA SAY,NOW,CLEM... THESE HERE BUSHY TYPES BIN AROUND TRYNA PUT THEIR BE FINGGER INNIT SINCE CAVEMAN,AN NO MADDER HOWIN' YA DRESS THEM GALOOTS UP,THEY ALWAYS LIKE FLIES TA YOU NO WHAT IN TH' HALLS O' POWER,ANITT'S ABOUT DURNED TYME WE TERNED THE TAP WAAYYY OFFF...
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