the Obama administration has argued that warrantless tracking is permitted because Americans enjoy no "reasonable expectation of privacy" in their--or at least their cell phones'--whereabouts. U.S. Department of Justice lawyers say that "a customer's Fourth Amendment rights are not violated when the phone company reveals to the government its own records" that show where a mobile device placed and received calls.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10451518-38.html

So everyone whipped up over Bush and his warrantless wiretaps feel free to lodge your complaint below.

You cut out the part where it said, "In that case..."

The case specifically targeted phone calls that were made around the time of the heist. Is that really a warrantless search?

The Bush administration wasn't just targeting specific people in specific cases.

They were abusing the shit out of the 'National Security Letters' to go on fishing expeditions.

Triangulation between cell towers is quite accurate.
I can turn off the GPS in my blackberry and it can pinpoint my location within 700 yards or so using towers only.



I didn't cut anything out.
Was Bush warrantlessly wiretapping everyone? Innocent people?
No.
They were using warrantless wiretaps on terror suspects in very specific cases and folks on the left got seriously bent out of shape about that. It's pretty much the same thing.
2 consecutive administrations giving the finger to the 4th amendment and the FISA courts.

If you have no problem with these moves by either Bush or Obama then fine.

I just don't feel like it's an unnecessary invasion of privacy, especially when it helped them crack a case, and potentially save lives should one of those robberies eventually have turned sour.

Of course, Obama has stopped that. uh huh.

But it doesn't really matter...those were acts by the bumblers at the FBI. If you're worried about the 4th amendment getting raped turn your attention to the NSA.
You better believe they still have switching gear in wiring closets all over the place.

I still find it amusing, B_B_B_BUSH!

Bush is powerless and alone in Texas right now.
The guy currently in charge kept most of the nasty tools and tactics of the last guy and is now fighting for more.

Is the location of your cell phone private information?

A little off topic, but in the same vein as "it's creepy how much control we surrender," I've been hearing ads about onstar and how it now has the capabilities to slow and stop your vehicle.

Which is all well and good if your car is stolen, but it doesn't seem like a stretch that the government could make use of such technology. Scary.

....especially since Onstar is a GM product...and GM is 60% owned by the Federal government.

Isn't California pushing for remote control of your thermostat in case of an "energy emergency?"

Ham

Heh heh. Could I earn the tax rebate and then uninstall it?

Ham