CIVIL LIBERTIES VANISH AS CIVIL LIBERTIES BOARD CAN'T EVEN HOLD FIRST

RICHARD B. SCHMITT, LOS ANGELES TIMES - For Americans troubled by the
prospect of federal agents eavesdropping on their phone conversations or
combing through their Internet records, there is good news: A
little-known board exists in the White House whose purpose is to ensure
that privacy and civil liberties are protected in the fight against
terrorism. Someday, it might actually meet.

Initially proposed by the bipartisan commission that investigated the
attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight
Board was created by the intelligence overhaul that President Bush
signed into law in December 2004. More than a year later, it exists only
on paper.

Foot-dragging, debate over its budget and powers, and concern over the
qualifications of some of its members - one was treasurer of Bush's
first campaign for Texas governor - has kept the board from doing a
single day of work.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/022006R.shtml