One Aging Geek

Saturday, January 24, 2004

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Strangest State of the Union moment

Obviously President Bush was not prepared for the cheers that greeted his statement that 'Key provisions of the PATRIOT Act are set to expire next year.' Amazing: you'll find civil libertarians in the darndest places -- even the U.S. Congress!
What was really strange was what happened next. PATRIOT Act supporters were clearly itching to counter this act of lese majeste by showing their support for the president. What did they do? They cheered his next line: 'The terrorist threat will not expire on that schedule.'
Unfortunately, every single senator, congressmen and dignitary who clapped at that moment was applauding the continued existence of the terrorist threat. 'Hurray! The terrorists are here to stay!' Not too bright.
Then again, since so many of our leaders, right up to the president, found their political lives salvaged by 9/11, maybe they understood exactly what they were doing.