Since it has been implemented, I realized how horribly wrong I was. I can't go back and retroactively change my mindset, history is what it is. So that is on me, and I have come to grips with it.
But I have realized that things like the PATRIOT Act cannot be given to people as a tool. It is TOO ripe for abuse. We cannot trust ANY of our fellow humans, no matter how well intentioned they might be, to have it. Power like that corrupts, and it corrupts completely.
Personally, I would rather allow all Americans to open-carry all manner of weaponry from knives to automatic weapons, and allow us to defend ourselves, come what may.
Our country is not defending us, and instead, is abusing us.
But there are still some jackwads who don't understand Ben Franklin's admonition that "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." They don't understand we don't live in a Republic anymore, where the government utilizes its Constitutionally allocated powers to protect us, and is now using them to persecute us.
They are actively attempting to brainwash us all into thinking we live in that worst of all governmental systems, a democracy. Even people who know better, like Ron Paul use their terminology.
For the record, I was fully opposed to the 'patriot' act in almost every particular. Got called a lot of names here on FR for it.