I'm sure you'd take that back if you lost someone in a future terrorist attack. I know you've heard this many times but If you are not doing anything wrong or illegal, what's to worry about?? Honestly?

aMFliberal mentioned that around 13 out of 200 convictions were terrorist charges. But isn't that 200 less problems out on the streets??

Well, I dont feel threatened at all in Nebraska but the places I go, I have thoughts. I take many flights to Vegas and California so there is always a possibility.

Also, Don't forget where the President came during the 911 attacks!

I did lose someone in 9/11. I lost 2 dear friends. And I've lost other friends since then in the war. And I still say I'd rather have FREEDOM. That's why I put on a uniform everyday.

It may be 200 less problems, but they should not have been found the way they were. A man should not be convicted of fishing without a proper license because he was a terrorism suspect, especially when the basis for that was the color of his skin. The average American breaks 5 laws before lunch, daily. I will always back freedom first. Because the simple fact of the matter is, there is nothing we can do to STOP terrorism, and we can not allow ourselves to continue to live in fear, and sacrifice our freedoms out of that fear. It deeply saddens me that you'd be so willing to betray the ideals this country was founded on in trade for the illusion of safety.

It's amazing to me how well this administration's brain-washing machine has worked on all the conservatives on this site... It's scary... You're all like little Bush propaganda machines... This is begining to remind me of the book 1984... It's terrifying. I think conservatives are the real terrorists in this country, because they are the only ones who truly strike terror in my heart, and they seem to spend all their time terrorizing their fellow citizens...

You continue to say that I have been brain-washed, thats not true, I just choose safety first. To say that Conservatives are the real terrorist is a real 'dumbass' remark if you ask me. I mean I respect your opinion, but to call me a terrorist because I choose safety first is ridiculous.

I am not calling you a terrorist, I am calling the people running the show terrorists. I do think you are quite foolish if you think you are getting safety. You are losing your freedoms and getting NOTHING but a dog & pony show in exchange. You are no safer today than you were on 9/10/2001, and to think otherwise is naive.

Ok... I will give you a chance to explain this to me. Why am I no safer now then I was on 9/10/2001? We have higher security more surveillance and so on, so just explain this to me.

I didn't call you an idiot Ridin...I don't know where you read that in my post, but I'll paste it again for you:

You've posted this piece before Ridin. We've replied. Again and again, you seem to assume that anyone who is against the Patriot Act is "ok with terrorists attacking our country." That is so completely wrong. It's like the people who assume that you don't support the troops because you don't support the war. Am I glad that the Brooklyn Bridge was not blown up? YES!! Am I glad there is a sweeping "counter terrorism" act that violates our rights? NO.
Nothing, nothing can serve as an exception to the rights we are guaranteed.

I've read these posts a couple times now and I have to say this. I can not defend an act that violates our rights in the Constitution. I don't care what it is for. Yes, The Patriot Act helps, at least somewhat, in protecting the American people. It also allows the government to do things they couldn't do before. That's not because they never got around to it or did not want to until after 9/11. It's because they could not!!! The Republican power seized the opportunity to make this act because the country was in a very sensitive time. The Patriot Act also allows the government to label whoever they want as terrorists and immediately detain them. They do not receive the same legal rights as every other American. Why? Defenders of this act, you answer this question. To be perfectly honest, the American way is higher than any one American person and THAT'S what I'm defending. I will never sacrifice the American way for an American life. People like tadpole, who join the service and fight, they sacrifice THEIR LIVES for the American way. They don't sacrifice the American way for their lives.

brainwashed?? Looks like the Bush Administration has been doing a fine job after 9/11 considering that was the last time there was an attack. I don't know why you are going off saying we are all Bush propaganda machines because that doesn't help this debate whatsoever. I could say you guys are acting like Kerry + Kennedy propaganda machines. Right?!? It doesn't help anything when you say something like that.

As for saying conservatives are the real terrorists...haha All this stuff your saying is not helping your argument.