The Marietta Daily Journal – Barr voices opposition to use of federal spy program

MARIETTA — Members of The Madison Forum met Saturday morning to ask guest speaker Bob Barr if Americans are living in a post-democratic society.

Barr, a former U.S. congressman from Georgia and a constitutional lawyer, spoke to a crowd of 25 members and guests at the Rib Ranch off Canton Road in Marietta about the recent leak that the federal government is collecting cellphone and Internet data.

Barr said the National Security Agency’s surveillance operation is a clear invasion of privacy with no attempt at transparency.

“(The NSA) is currently operating in violation of the law,” Barr said.

Barr said the USA Patriot Act was explicit about the need for the intelligence community to gather information to protect the country, but not “by any means necessary.”

Barr said the Obama Administration and the federal court system has allowed for the act to be applied too broadly and without enough oversight.

When the Patriot Act was passed during the Bush administration, Barr said the original intent was to allow for the government to access specific records on a specific individual.

via The Marietta Daily Journal – Barr voices opposition to use of federal spy program.