Kim C, that's what I'm talking about. It is now the case, but was not at the founding of the nation.

TDG-yes, we do have a constitution. As you might guess, any law that suspends the Constitution is unconctitutional and invalid. While a law passed in 1917 isn't going to stand up in courts, the Patriot act might, despite its invalidity. The worry is not that the Constitution doesn't apply, it's that ii will be violated. In that respect, we have some cause for concern.