But House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner, R-Wisconsin, who shepherded the bill through the House, said sunset provisions were not necessary because there was no evidence the Patriot Act was being misused and lawmakers could provide sufficient oversight.

Oh. My. God. It's worse that I ever could have imagined.

One amendment that did pass overwhelmingly requires the FBI director to personally approve any FBI requests for bookstore or library records of suspected terrorists. Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Arizona, it passed 402-26.

Yeah, because I can seriously picture the freaking director of the FBI taking stock of each and every request for his sig that hits his desk.

Director: "More papers to sign, Jerry?"
Secretary: "Yes, sir, right where I've put the sticky arrows."

-janelane, expatriate

RE: Patriot Act Extended