[NJ_gent]

"Why does anyone except the Left and Bush bashers have a problem with that?"

Because many of us recognize abuses of power when we see them; regardless of good intentions and constant reassurances. The Constitution is what it is, and says what it says. It doesn't roll over and die when it comes to organized crime, drugs, or anything else.

"I'm sure they are located in heavily BLUE areas and thus I have no use for their "concern" one way or the other."

Alaska's a solid red state. It's not just liberals against much of PATIOT. The ACU has challenged parts of it alongside the ACLU. Bob Barr (ACU 98% lifetime rating) has worked against parts of it. Butch Otter (ACU 94% lifetime rating) has worked against many parts of it. At which point will people wake up and realize that maybe, just maybe, there really is something we have a legitimate concern about?

[eleni121]

I'm a conservative Republican not a conservative of the ACU variety. If nothing else, the government must protect us from aggression from those who are determined to destroy our way of life. If Patriot helps our government to do this, I stand behind it. The ACU naively misunderstands the Islamicists and how dangerous they are. The Justice dept does realize the danger, thankfully. Social issues like Medical marijuana and “right to die” are issues on which I have firm opinions and they are not of the ACU variety.

As for your comments about the constitution...it's not a perfect document written by perfect people. Even the founding fathers understood its imperfections by building in so many checks and balances. It's an evolving document. As such, in a democracy we should be able to amend, interpret, and rescind parts of it.