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While I have significant issues with the Patriot Act as a whole, the whole was not at issue here.
So of the things extended:
- Roving wire taps. While I recognize the gray areas, ultimately I come down on the side of supporting them. Again, I see the potential dangers of it, but at the moment I am ok with it proceeding.
- The business records section. I have issues with the existence of the FISA court but its existence is not at issue here. My main beef with this part of the Patriot Act is the gag rule it places on the people served with an information request. As long as that is in there I oppose any extension or expansion.
- The lone wolf stuff, if I understand it correctly (and I'm not sure I do) doesn't establish the surveillance abilities it just extends the duration that can be authorized by the FISA court. If my understanding is correct then that seems a wash to me in the "we've establish what you are, we're just haggling over price" vein.
So, as a president presented with having to take all three or getting none, I'm not sure where I would fall. Especially since it isn't like he was presented with time to veto and have Congress come back with something better before "none at all" was forced on him.
As for whether this is a betrayal. He voted for extend the last time it was up. And I don't think he has ever spoken against these provisions (though he has spoken out against the Patriot Act as a whole, but again that wasn't what he's signing), so I'm not sure why it would be a surprise.
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