Eight Months Later, Civil Liberties Watchdog Group Remains "Toothless, Underfunded Shell" - Page 2

Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) have written the White House expressing concerns about the board's budget, as well as delays in setting it up.

"As we work to make America safer, it is equally important that we are careful to preserve the very liberties that we seek to protect," Collins told Reuters. "The board is critical in this regard."

***

There are also questions about what whether the board will have teeth.

"(It) is a very watered-down board without the kinds of powers which I believe are necessary to provide credibility and authority, such as independent subpoena power," Richard Ben-Veniste, a former Sept. 11 commissioner, told Reuters.

Shays, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and other lawmakers have proposed an amendment granting the panel greater independence and powers, including subpoena authority.

Right now, Maloney said, "It does not have teeth. It does not have enforcement. It does not have strength behind it."

***

This article first appeared at Journalists Against Bush's B.S.

Page 1 — Page 2

Article tags

Spread the word
Bookmark and Share
Read comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own

Article comments

  • 1 - Aaman

    Aug 11, 2005 at 11:01 am

    It's because of their name - PCLOB - doesn't go down well in media and Congressional reports

  • 2 - Silas Kain

    Aug 11, 2005 at 1:36 pm

    Right now, Maloney said, "It does not have teeth. It does not have enforcement. It does not have strength behind it."

    Is Maloney talking about the PCLOB or the will of the people?

Add your comment, speak your mind

Personal attacks are NOT allowed.
Please read our comment policy.
Please preview your comment.

blogcritics lists for Nov 25, 2009

fresh articles Most recent articles site-wide

fresh comments Most recent comments site-wide

most comments Most comments in 24hrs

top writers Most prolific Blogcritics for October

top commenters Most prolific Commenters in 24 hrs