The Sky Is Still Up There

The Los Angeles Times has one of the few op-ed sections in the nation with a reputation of being as left or even more left than our local Star Tribune. However, credit must go to the Times op-ed staff for including this piece (registration required) regarding the Patriot Act in yesterday's edition.

BY THE NUMBERS
Civil libertarians argue that the Patriot Act curtails American freedoms. Fans of the act say those fears are overblown. By the numbers, since inception of the Patriot Act through 2004:

Civil rights complaints to the Justice Department's inspector general: 7,136
Number of those deemed related to the Patriot Act: 1

"Sneak and peek" warrants, allowing searches without telling a subject: 155
Roving wiretaps: 49
Personal records seizures under Section 215 of the act: 35
Source: Justice Department inspector general

One civil liberties complaint out of 7,136. One. Repeat, one. I know it may be confusing to some when arguments are based in fact rather than unfounded paranoia. It's clear that when they are, the Patriot Act especially as it has been used by the current administration, has had virtually no impact on our civil liberties.