OG:

"That is not fear speaking it is being a good citizen. "

As were the Good Germans in Hitler's era.

"The fact that you are afraid the patriot act may be used on you unfairly is fear speaking."

Not exactly fear. Caution, I think. I'm not likely to get caught in it, statistically speaking, but somebody's going to. If you're really an Old Guy you'll remember some of J Edgar Hoover's little tricks accomplished without the P. Act. And the act would have certainly helped Nixon manage his enemies list. Etcetera.

Terrorists certainly exist, and they need to be watched out for. Actually, though, my life is in more danger from one of my patriotic neighbors with a flag on his pickup. Nonetheless I wouldn't want my rights violated by feds tracking down road-rage prone drivers, even if they do as good as they can and get the bad guys if they can.

clint