PATRIOT ACT LIKELY TO PASS

After a slight compromise by the White House which enhanced certain civil liberties questions in the Patriot Act the bill drew by-partisan support for passage. With the lone exception of Senator Russell Fiengold, (D WIS), who is still attempting to attach amendments placing a four year expiration date as opposed to a filibuster which lost support the Senate should pass the revised Patriot Act with overwhelming support. The obvious necessity of the act prompted strong debate because of the fear of personal civil liberties problems that caused two Republicans to hold their support. The questions raised by Democrats which have continually been believed as politically based and not true concerns faded when polls showed that support for the Act was strong across the board therefore promoting poll driven liberals to finally lend their support. The Patriot Act allows federal entities much of the capabilities that have long been afforded to local and state law enforcement officers but were greatly lacking on the federal level. Good legislation that is vital for our national security.

Ken Taylor