I have a hard time believing anything these clowns say.
As for spying on mosques or commies, quite frankly, that's the two spots I'd want them to stick their noses in.
However, Franklin's admonition rings as true today as when he said it. I'm a little nervous about another expansion of government power (I'd rather do it only when necessary, and admittedly, stopping some religious fanatic from blowing up my fellow Americans is 100% NECESSARY.). Maybe if they went ahead and read the bill before passing it this time...
I've been wanting that too. In fact, I thought the first thing that would happen after 9/11 was an end to transient immigration from suspect countries. Student visas, that sort of thing. No kidding, I really thought Uncle Sam would start bootin' people out of the country left and right. No such luck. Instead, the new powers granted in the first Patriot Act have already been used outside the scope of terrorism.
I have heard that aspects of this Patriot Act II have been hidden in the Intelligence Reform Bill that passed the Senate yesterday. I am unable to find this though except for a National ID card thing. This bill is difficult to wade through. Can anyone else confirm or deny?