It takes an anthrax attack, dirty nukes, or a smoking crater where a city once stood to get people to realize that these constitutional common-sense law enforcement measures are needed.
The Patriot Act is NOT constitutional. Here's a good article written by a man I think most of my fellow FReepers have a lot of respect for (Judge Andrew Napolitano):
http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig6/napolitano2.html
Here's another one, written by Rep. RON PAUL (R-TX):
http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul265.html