Do you not understand we are at war. The thousands that are already dead from this conflict will be nothing compared to what will happen if we continue as before. I'm not saying I like the idea of losing protected rights but before you criticise the actions taken, have an answer to the problem. How would you stop the terrorist? We lost FReepers in the attack on 9/11...and I'll bet those noble, selfless people would have plenty to say about the proposed notion that their lives were more important than their freedoms.
BTW...if President Gore were in office proposing this, how would you react?
The US Supreme court, some decades ago, observed that "whatever the Constitution is, it is not a suicide pact."