Thursday, August 6, 2009

The Administration Violates the Constitution

The Obama White House is breaking the Privacy Act of 1974 by asking citizens to report “fishy” political speech.



On Tuesday, Macon Phillips, President Obama’s Director of New Media, wrote on the White House blog asking citizens to rat out fellow citizens who are spreading “disinformation” about Obama’s plans for more government control over the health care system. Phillips wrote:


There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it toflag@whitehouse.gov.



One wonders, what constitutes “fishy” speech or “disinformation”? Is it anything that runs counter to what the White House wants you to think? And what, precisely, is the White House planning to do about someone who’s speech has been “flagged”?



Asking citizens to report on each other is a violation of the constitution. According to the Department of Justice, “the purpose of the Privacy Act is to balance the government’s need to maintain information about individuals with the rights of individuals to be protected against unwarranted invasions of their privacy stemming from federal agencies’ collection, maintenance, use, and disclosure of personal information about them.”



Further, anything is considered a “personal record” if it identifies an individual(an e-mail address would qualify), and “federal agency” specifically includes“the Executive Office of the President.”



I’m no lawyer, but it sure sounds like the White House is violating the law by asking people to snitch on their friends and neighbors for engaging in “fishy” political speech. Anyone want to try this one in court?

5 comments:

James' Muse August 6, 2009 at 9:16 PM  

If we did that, we would have to go back to the PATRIOT act...this was all made legal under that act and the war powers act under Bush. Now Obama is using it the other way. Sucks nonetheless.

WoFat August 7, 2009 at 8:36 AM  

You don't understand; it's okay when the Bandit of Nevada and his Socialist associates do it. The think the Constitution has a half-life, one that's long expired.

James' Muse August 7, 2009 at 11:06 AM  

Like I said, no constitutional violatings, and no law broken...this was all made legal under the last admin.

DaBlade August 8, 2009 at 9:19 AM  

Anyone want to try this one in court? You mean the court Obama is stacking with leftwing emphathetic wise racists?

Deanna Bland Hiott PhD, MSN, RN August 8, 2009 at 4:15 PM  

This is frightening...but so Obama...it's his way or the highway. Remember the criticism of the tea parties. The goal is to attack and degrade those who do not agree with Obamament.

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