The Marietta Daily Journal – Local delegation and candidates react to news of Verizon leaks

Cobb politicians reacted strongly to Thursday’s revelation that the federal government has been collecting the phone records of all Verizon customers as part of an ongoing anti-terrorism program.

Some voiced complete support and trust in the program while others condemned it as “Big Brother” tactics.

An aide to U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson said the senator approves of the federal intelligence community having access to the phone records of U.S. citizens.

“Sen. Isakson has confidence that U.S. intelligence officials acted within the law and through authority granted to them by the U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to protect the American people,” said Lauren Culbertson, a spokeswoman for Isakson.

She added that the intelligence actions are done with congressional and White House oversight.

U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Marietta), who is running for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Saxby Chambliss, also voiced his support for the program.

“When used appropriately” the gathered intelligence has exposed national security threats and stopped terrorist plots, he said.

Former U.S. Rep. Bob Barr, who served from 1995 to 2003, said while in office he took a firm stance on government surveillance and is not happy about the further encroachment by federal agencies.

“It is something that has worried me tremendously,” said Barr, who is a candidate in the congressional Republican primary for Gingrey’s seat.

Barr said the federal government is overstepping the scope of the Patriot Act, which allows for obtaining business records on a limited basis, specifically for an individual who has a connection with a terrorist group or is under investigation for national security.

“It is not intended to be used as a dragnet device” that orders phone companies to “give us everything you have on an ongoing basis,” Barr said.

Barr said it is now a known fact that the government is violating the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Citizens needs to organize to express outrage or “we will indeed reach a point where there is no privacy against government intrusion,” Barr said.

Barr said members of Congress justify the order by stating it is for the “protection” of the United States.

“Part of their oath of office is to uphold the Constitution. There is no footnote saying it can be ignored because of national security,” Barr said.

via The Marietta Daily Journal – Local delegation and candidates react to news of Verizon leaks.