Posted by  Baldy,  on 02/09  at  07:07 PM

“Against the Patriot Act from the start, the sisters have members of Congress on speed dial” There is more to this story. Also, this all started with drug laws, especially under the Clinton Admininistration. It has NOTHING to do with the Patriot Act.

Posted by  Pat Lehman, Wichita, KS on 02/09  at  01:49 PM

The so-called Patriot Act was shoved through Congress with few knowing it’s contents, or consquences.  It has little to do with our security, and more to do with creating a police state, where a citizen’s privacy, and personal security are virtually taken away.
I would challenge this newspapaer, or ANY newspaper to explain in plain terms what is allowed under the provisions of this Act.

Posted by  R. Harris, Riverview on 02/08  at  09:31 PM

Everyone can be in denial if they want but the Patriot Act is alive and well. Just go to an Amscot to purchase a money order on Causeway in Brandon and the teller will ask for your i.d. if you want to purchase a $900.00 money order. It’s none of there business who you are. The rule last year was to ask for i.d. if you purchase a money order over $1,000. Doesn’t the goverment know that most of our mortgage payments and rent is that amount? This is communism.

Posted by  Tim Hites, Temple Terrace on 02/08  at  07:49 PM

You libs just dont get it! Thanks to our Lord Bush, no Nuns have attacked us since 911!

Posted by  Floyd Smith, Thonotosassa on 02/08  at  04:06 PM

It sounds like Wachovia was not sure of what they were doing.  Looks like they locked the account and said it was the act.  I would guess that someone at the bank pushed a button in a rubber stamp brain freeze.  When the error was discovered, did damage control for mishandling an account.  My guess is the Patriot Act was used to invoke devine legal protection.
If anyone knows how the Patriot Act works, let the American people know.  We hear much on how this act is abused.  We never hear of when it works, if ever.  Mr. President please show us when and where, and not invoke the smoke and mirrors of “national security”.  We deserve that respect as citizens.

Posted by  Chris, Dade City on 02/08  at  02:23 PM

It amazes me that these nuns had an issue with the Patriot Act before the banks mistake and lo and behold, it’s the Patriot Act to blame.  I think they just used this topic as a soap box to stand on which the Tribune was more than happy to run with.  Has anyone other than them even mentioned that this was due to the Patriot Act?  Bottom line is that Wachovia is a horrible institution with poorly trained personel.  Rather than take any accountability for their mistakes, somehow the blame has been shifted to what may or may not be an effective tool in dealing with today’s threats to America’s Security.

Posted by  Sam, TNC on 02/08  at  01:58 PM

Unfortunately for all of the non-terrorist world, this incident is completely expected and in fact demonstrates that the system is working.
The fact that it was a nun and a monestary has zero gravity in terms of policy.  The missing id info (SSN) simply triggered a procedure.  Evidently, terrorists have used blank SSNs in the past which seems right.
I think the point here is that the banking industry in general has a customer ientification system that has changed little since the 19th century - a magic number (SSN), a tiny fuzzy picture of a face, presumably yours, and a signature which VERY loosely resembles the one on your paper “signature card” on file in the bank’s physical files.
In summary: Smart Cards   Gracias

Posted by  Chula Chic Chac, Tampa on 02/08  at  01:05 PM

I am glad Wachovia is so secure.  Glad my stock is so worthwhile, that they would waste so many hours of work to get these nuns.  Hopefully their Compliance Officer will be fired for this waste of resources.  I am glad the local branch did such a good job of customer service, shame the large conglomerate was not as responsive.  This sends a big message to everyone to place their funds in local banks and keep the money local and with less trouble.  I am sure the President of wachovia and his multimillion dollar bonuses will not miss these nuns money one bit, but if we banded together, we could stop these Wal-Marts of Banking.

Posted by  Bruce Keffer, Dade City on 02/08  at  10:59 AM

Washington has taken for granted citizens will give up freedoms fought for in pervious wars for a blanket of security in the modern war on terror and Islamic fundamentalism.
Those who oppose the Patriot Act are given a scarlet letter and a shroud of suspicion.

What we need is truth and plain talk from the White House and both houses representing our interest. There has to be a defining moment in our history that says, STOP, we will not give up any more rights or freedoms. In affect, we need a person with the courage to stand in front of the tank and say enough is enough.

Perhaps Ben Franklin put it best when he said a society that is willing to give up some of their freedom for security deserves neither.

Posted by  Richard Zeiner, Plant City on 02/08  at  10:40 AM

The Patriot Act? We now have something that the majority of the people know nothing about, or at the most, very little. We get bits and pieces as to what the Patriot Act is about, only when something goes wrong. what caused it? The bank was in error, however we have to blame it on something, so the latest thing now is “The Patriot Act.” I guess someone was a little over zealous with the account and since an elderly signature on the account did not have her DOB or SSAN available, we will penalize them and blame it on the Patriot Act. No one will be any wiser and we can stir up the political hornets nest a little more. At least the bank did apologize for their error.

Posted by  John Jacobs, Tampa on 02/08  at  08:51 AM

Yall better get used to. This is America and we have to protect our country against all the illegal terrorits in Florida.

Posted by  Peter J. McIntosh, Tampa on 02/08  at  08:33 AM

This had little to do with the patriot act but more to do with a over eager bank. Why do you not identify the bank they are the ones at fault here.
All I have to say that if it takes some inconvenience to stop the terrorists and money launderers I am willing to accect it.

Posted by  John Chase, Palm Harbor on 02/08  at  08:32 AM

In October 2001, the U.S. Dept of Justice played on the fear of terror to enact a wishlist they’d been accumulating for years. Now it is time to sunset most of it, as the Patriot act itself was written to do. If left as is, we will see a gradual escalation in federal gov’t intrusion and secrecy, with less judicial oversight.

The Patriot Act was a quantum jump toward a police state. Most of it we do not need.

Posted by  Richard Smith, Sebring on 02/08  at  07:31 AM

The Patriot Act is just another name for the Fascist government of G. W. Bush. Spying on nuns isn’t going to stop terrorism. I am more concerned with gangs and crime than any attack by terrorists.

The real patriots are planning to vote against the Republican majority in 2006 and 2008