A Good Day For Osama

Even though the Senate refused today to extend the Patriot Act, our defenses against terrorism are still good. All investigations already underway can stay underway under the Act's provisions, and most of the Act is permanent and not subject to today's vote regarding the renewable portions.

Still, the questions Russ Feingold and his allies need to ask themselves are (1) Are you ready to take the blame if an intelligence failure caused by your vote leads to the deaths of your countrymen? And (2) What honest, non-terrorist American has been subjected to the horrors you allege? If there are any, then it's an adjustment, not a repeal, that's in order.

Fiengold, who was the only Senator to vote against the Act in 2001, said today on the Senate floor,

"I don't want to hear again from the attorney general or anyone on this floor that this government has shown it can be trusted to use the power we give it with restraint and care."

Never? You never want to hear that they can be trusted? Do the Dems really hold the American system of checks and balances in such low esteme? Do they really find the president so utterly undeserving of respect? And do the reflect the view of most Americans in that thinking?

Today's vote was a victory for bin Laden, and a victory for the GOP. The DNC has proven, once again, the Hugh Hewitt adage: Vote Republican because the Democrats want to kill you.