Right now the political contest in D.C. is about the misnamed “Patriot Act” and the attempt by Republicans to make certain provisions permanent. Democrats and a critical number of Republicans in the Senate want revisions in the law, including sunset provisions instead of permanence for certain element of the law which are a potential threat to civil liberties. This, of course, from the very conservative and limited context from which politicians work; a great many people would likely see serious threats where congressmen both timid and corrupt would compromise and accept.

But even the weak exceptions that Democrats and a few Republicans are fighting for are too much for the GOP. They want everything, and will throw the tantrum from hell if they don’t get it. The Patriot Act is timed to run out by the end of the year, which comes along in a few weeks. The Coalition of the Compromise is being eminently reasonable, asking for a three-month extension for the act so the matter can be discussed and worked out after the break. But Frist and the GOP are throwing the tantrum, saying that if their version doesn’t get passed, then nothing will, and the whole act will expire December 31st.

Now, that would be eminently cool with me. The “Patriot” Act, like everything else in Bush’s “War on Terror™” is designed not for our security but rather for their control, and for forwarding their political agenda. Were are probably better off, even possibly more secure, without it at all. It certainly has not led to more secure borders, better cargo checking, beefed up police and fire, or any of the other elements necessary for better protection against terrorism at home. The Bush administration has made such things their last priority, giving greater

At the very least, a call for an extension of debate is about as reasonable as reasonable gets.

But the GOP is not just going to let a political opportunity go to waste; they’ve laid out their battle plan. Either they get everything that they want, or the act disappears–and the GOP will start a full-court press blaming Democrats for sabotaging our national security so as to gain an advantage in the 2006 elections.

It’s nice to know that our civil liberties and national security are in the hands of people who go to such great lengths to make them their first priority.