Patriot Act debate

Reuters just reported that opponents of extending several controversial measures have threatened to fillibuster if the changes are not made. The measures under debate include roving wiretaps and easy use of national security letters to gather information on people even tangentially related to terrorism suspects. Opponents also want the extensions of other measures to only last for 3 years instead of the 7 in the current bill. Opponents include most Democrats and a few moderate Republicans. It is good to see a serious challenge to the Patriot Act. It was enacted so soon after 9/11 that there was no chance given for serious debate. Either you supported the Patriot Act or you supported the terrorists at that point. Most likely, the Republican supporters or the White House will resort to the same tactics, but I think they have been overused and are seen as cliche now.