I have ALWAYS been against USA-PATRIOT... check out my posts back then... just as I have always been against ANY legislation granting more and more power to government... because once government GETS that power, it never, ever goes away. And never, ever does it solve the “problem” it was intended for... government is NOT IN THE BUSINESS of actually solving problems... because if it did, parts of it would have to go away when the problem ceased to exist. And they CAN’T just fire government “workers,” now can they? So NEVER will problems be actually solved, no matter WHAT they tell you.
I know you won't be able to provide me evidence since it was 34 years ago, but you were against sneak and peek searches way back in 1973? You've been calling for their repeal since thn, or since you became aware of them? When the top dogs in a mafia family were perp walked on the news in the 80's you were yelling at the TV "Those guys were probably busted with the help of those tyrannical roving wiretaps and sneak and peek searches"? When they did a sneak and peek, wiretap and bugging operation on John Gotti without informing him, how many letters to the editor did you write suggesting he be freed?
I estimate that 95% of the folks who now shriek in horror over the Patriot Act never knew or cared when the same provisions were directed at the Mafia and major drug dealers. And I believe Andrew McCarthy has it 100% right here.