[conservativejoy]

I must be missing something. My life has not been impacted in any way by the Patriot Act, other than the terrorist attacks that have been thwarted.

I like what the legislation that Cruz is supporting does. It limits the NSA without stripping us of being able to detect and monitor threats. We can’t go back to pre 9/11. Freedom is not being dead at the hands of a terrorist.

[Kay Ludlow]

I must be missing something. My life has not been impacted in any way by the Patriot Act

So you don't mind that the federal government (through the NSA) has developed a massive set of interconnected, searchable databases that include everything electronic about your life?

Suppose, through some little thing, like a loved one breaking up with a lover who has access to the database, or through an apparently minor traffic incident that angers someone who has access, someone decides to harass YOU? They have enough information to just be annoying, or to destroy your life.

They can file complaints with government agencies based on something they found in their search on you; they know where you live, so they can anonymously report that you are a danger; with your email address they can intercept your ordinary messages to your family and friend and change the content of the messages before they are received.

All that kind of stuff is going on all the time now, and not just for stopping terrorism, but for the pettiest of reasons, because they are just ordinary people, who do things just because they can. Just like the plow truck that you may have annoyed who now plows your driveway shut over and over...

You may want to actually read all of Edward Snowden's book - it's appalling. And he did what he did because he was appalled both at what they were doing, and at how they where lying to everyone (including congress) about it. They claim this authority under the Patriot Act in their secret court.

[Georgia Girl 2]

“I must be missing something. My life has not been impacted in any way by the Patriot Act”

How would you know that? They do everything in secret. Maybe they just have not gotten around to you yet. :-)

[Alas Babylon!]

So what do you suppose Benjamin Franklin meant when he said this?

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

[cowboyusa]

I’m sorry, I would rather be killed by a Terrorist than live under Tyranny. I know where I’m going.

[spyone]

Good for you. Others’ lives have.
The law has been expanded to Orwellian proportions.
And still the law is broken without regard.
Don’t you care or wonder why agencies the the government operate without regard to the rule of law?