There have to have been at least two loonies for it to have reached the Oregon Senate floor: the Proposing Loony and the Seconding Loony. There may also have been sponsoring loonies we don't know about. ;)

Seriously. We already have the Patriot Act, of which I am not alone in taking a dim view, and Patriot II, which thank Sts. Jefferson and Madison and all their minions is being given the fisheye.

We've had other famous political over-reactions in wartime as well, the most infamous of which was the internment of the Japanese-Americans, done under a Democratic administration. (See? I don't forget everything.)

Extreme politics in time of war is an equal opportunity hazard. If people are getting this wigged out so early in the proceedings, paying extra attention if the war continues for longer than projected is a good thing. I'd like to think there will be some room left in the Oregon prisons for run-of-the-mill murderers, kidnappers and theives after all those "terrorists" receive 25-year sentences.

Which, of course, they won't.

But really -- what gets into people?

Regards--
Mary Anne

PS-- You joining the ACLU yet? heh heh