THIS Is Why The Patriot Act Is Bad

I'm behind on this story, but I will try to get the gist of it.

When the Patriot Act was passed in 2001 (and re-passed a year ago), we were told it was all about national security and protecting Americans. Those, like myself, who feared that it was just an excuse to consolidate executive power were told we were silly.

Now we learn that the Bush administration is firing U.S. attorneys across the country-- all involved in high-profile investigations of Bush administration officials and key Republican lawmakers, natch-- and replacing them with Republican cronies. This has happened to seven federal prosecutors so far, at last count. And the replacements are being appointed without Senate approval, as is normally required. And how is this decidely Nixonian act legal? Because of a provision of the Patriot Act, that's how.

Talking Points Memo has been thoroughly following this story.

No one seemed to even know this provision was in the Patriot Act until this story broke (Sen. Feinstein, who twice voted for the bill, sure was unpleasantly surprised). My obvious follow-up to this story is... what else is in this 'Patriot Act' that we don't know about? Methinks a certain Democratic congress might want to start finding out.