Good news / Bad news

Remember when I said that the Pentagon has been monitoring citizens who really don't need to be monitored? Quakers, anti-war protesters, guys with beards, etc.
Well, guess who eased spying restrictions for the NSA? Yeah that's right, President Bush. And he's been keeping it on the down-low, too. John McCain first heard of the measure via the NYT. Now I know that a lot of people don't like McCain, but he's no slacker. This is something that the president hoped that we wouldn't notice.

Fortunately, while the House ratified the Patriot Act extension, the Senate rejected it. If they don't reach a consensus by the 31st, the thing will die.