Disingenuous Debate

The Republicans provide a disingenuous argument for why they refuse to support a temporary 3-month extension for the USA Patriot Act while the controversial measures within the Act are debated further. This is especially important in light of the revalations of Bush's executive order authorizing NSA syping without a warrant, as well as the Pentagon's spying on anti-war activists and the FBI's spying on PETA, Greenpeace and anti-poverty groups. Bill Frist argues:

"Those on the Senate floor who are filibustering the Patriot Act are killing the Patriot Act"

This isn't true. The Republicans who, like Frist refuse to vote for a 3-month extension. They are refusing to compromise on changes that protect civil liberties. They are killing the necessary parts of the Patriot Act in order to assert their control over the government. Again, absolute power corrupts absolutely.