Patriot Act

From Jay Nordlinger, at National Review Online.

For many years, I heard that the Patriot Act was the worst thing in the world — a subversion of our rights, an assault on the Constitution, the end of democracy. But now, the act is extended by four years — and signed with a presidential autopen — and, basically, I don’t hear boo.

Isn’t that strange? Could it be that people — the loudest ones — didn’t like George W. Bush, rather than the Patriot Act?

Hang on, how long has Guantanamo been closed? I don’t hear about that much anymore. And where are all the anti-war protests concerning Iraq and Afghanistan? Where?

Well, if a liberal Democratic president was what it took for liberal Democrats to play ball . . .

I remember being at a dinner party on the Upper East Side in about 2005. My hostess said that Bush was taking away our rights. I said, “What do you mean?” She said, matter-of-factly, “Patriot Act” — as though nothing more needed to be said.

Maybe I should check in with her . . .

[snip]

Yep, it's strange, alright.