Well this just proves that your representatives in congress do not care about your civil liberties.

Congress Renews Patriot Act; Bush to Sign

"The House renewed the USA Patriot Act in a cliffhanger vote Tuesday night, extending a centerpiece of the war on terrorism at President Bush's urging after months of political combat over the balance between privacy rights and the pursuit of potential terrorists.
...
The vote was 280-138, just two more than needed under special rules that required a two-thirds majority. The close vote caught senior Republican aides in both chambers by surprise."

I'm sorry this set of laws is just so flawed that, for me, it trumps all value it has in fighting terrorism. And the fact that the representatives gave their blessing to this law with really no concessions to protect our civil liberties makes me sad. These lawmakers had it in their power to force real protections for our civil liberties into a new "Patriot Act" and at the same time strengthening the terrorism protection clauses, but they chose to give this administration a small political win at our expense. Well great, that makes me feel all wonderful.

In other news

Senate panel rejects bid for NSA inquiry

"Senate Republicans on Tuesday agreed to expand oversight of President George W. Bush's domestic spying program but rejected Democratic pressure for a broad inquiry into eavesdropping on U.S. citizens."

Yeah this really isn't any big thing. I think we have all decided that everything is on the up and up, and the prez did nothing wrong, and that these powers would never be abused. Right right, oh well no big. Good luck. The sooner these bastards are out of power the better.