[lawdog]

"The FBI is actually allowed to observe people in public places, or on public web sites like any other human being is allowed to...and we got people shrieking that it's the end of the world for God's sake."

And you believe they weren't already doing this ? Sheesh, they didn't need the "Patriot Act" to do that! Could the ATF place an undercover agent into a "church" ? Sure they and other agencies already conduct covert ops. "The Patriot Act" is for gullible consumption.

[Texasforever]

It is obvious that you have not studied the PA. The main thrust was on roving wire taps to bring the wiretap laws into line with the communications devices we did not have under the old laws. The PA only revised the existing law not write a new law, The PA also tightened the visa application, documentation and tracking requirements of existing INS law and likewise is a revision NOT new law. The PA also clearly laid out the definition of international and domestic terrorism. Many have latched on the "domestic" portion of the PA to say that it targets any group the government does not like. That is also untrue, it defines the responses to acts of terrorism within our boarders as they differ from "international” attacks on US interests abroad. The PA was a CLARIFICATION document not the mass of NEW laws people seem to think.