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by lukeschlather 4234 days ago
The Patriot Act is not going to expire in 2015, it's going to be overwhelmingly renewed, probably with broad bipartisan support, but mostly by the new Republican majority.

This bill isn't selling liberties, they're already sold, it's just trying to win some back.
2 comments
scintill76 4234 days ago
I tend to agree it will be renewed somehow anyway, but I still can't quite bring myself to wholeheartedly support anything that will renew it. Let them renew it with "minutes to spare"[0] like last time, without the benefit of an Orwellian cover title that lets everyone think Freedom is back again and the NSA has been vanquished. EFF has even said one of these provisions that would be renewed actually supports NSA programs!; see my other comment for links.[1]

I would be open to hearing why the provisions that will be renewed are "not that bad" and worth trading. I'm guessing there are worse things in the Patriot Act that don't even have sunset dates. A lesser evil is still evil, though..

[0] http://articles.latimes.com/2011/may/27/nation/la-na-patriot... [1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8638143

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0x5f3759df-i 4234 days ago
Exactly. The freedom act was an opportunity to get at least the tiniest amount of reform. The White House even supported the bill.

There is no way the patriot act will not be renewed. Even a congress as dysfunctional the one coming in will come together to TAKE BACK TEH AMERICAS FROM ISIS.

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