On the other hand, it prevented me from cashing my daughter's babysitting check at the bank.
No more co-signed checks. I managed to obtain the $25 sum in question for my daughter, the threat to national security, after a brief but painful conversation with several people at the bank.
She, of course, used it to undermine anti-terrorist activity: she bought a hand-crafted necklace at the local craft fair this weekend. It doubtless has a transmitter in the little silver charm at its center.
"Patriot Act", indeed. Eavesdropper Act, Busybody Act, Not Letting People Take Care Of Their Own Business Without Jumping Through Stupid Hoops Act. If paranoia and stupidity are signs of patriotism, I suppose the name fits.