[churchillbuff]

This is also why I'm against the Patriot Act."""

How did they get to name it the "Patriot Act," anyway (patriots like Thomas Jefferson would be appalled at the power it gives federal officials). Can any congressman arbitrarily give a name to his bill? If Barney Frant introduced a bill for a 100 percent tax increase, could he give it the official name, the "Motherhood Act"?

[Crispus Attucks Patriot]

Actually, USA Patriot Act an acronym that stands for:

"Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act"

[rattrap]

Patriot isn't "Patriot" it's U.S.A.P.A.T.R.I.O.T.

"Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism"

I wonder how much they paid someone to come up with that snappy acronym.

[Doctor Stochastic]

The "Patriot Act" was written by those New Conservative Heros, Gary Hart and Andrew Young. It was sitting around until there was a triggering event and then passed by the GOP led Congress. Calling the Internal Security or Federal Police Expansion act would have made The People nervous. Something more soothing (Patriot, Homeland) was needed.

[R. Scott]

How did they get to name it the "Patriot Act," anyway …

Bills (and subsequent laws) are given names that will help ensure their passage. In this case, any one who voted against the “Patriot Act” must be un-American. The same happened to bills labeled with the tag “Children’s” (must hate children), or other such names that make it difficult to vote against them.