Jessamyn links to this article written by Senator Orrin Hatch in defense of the Patriot Act. The article is, not surprisingly, chock full of vagueness and sidestepping. While there are many passages worth picking apart, this one really caught my attention:

"Nothing in the Patriot Act threatens our cherished Bill of Rights. In fact, the act is expressly designed to enhance our nation's fundamental freedoms. Moreover, despite the steady drumbeat of opposition by some groups, none of them has cited one instance of abuse against our constitutional rights, nor one shred of evidence to contradict the fact that these tools have saved American lives by preventing terrorist attacks against our people."

Well, Senator Hatch, how convenient that there is no evidence, when the Patriot Act goes out of its way to prevent said evidence from ever being produced. Can you say "gag order," Mr. Senator?

Similarly, Mr. Senator, where is this evidence to support the "the fact that these tools have saved American lives by allowing law enforcement and intelligence agencies to prevent attacks on our country"? Let's try not to condemn "unsupported arguments" by offering unsubstantiated rhetoric.