These guys are just plain evil: Republican congressmen have defeated an effort to curb the worst and most objectionable provision the Patriot act. The act gives the goverment the power to subpoena records of your transactions with third parties -- books you check out of the library, movies you rent from Blockbuster, Sandwiches you buy from subway -- without a warrant, without the consent of a judge. The amendment defeated on the House floor would have allowed these things only with a warrant.

How do you like the idea of government empowered to find out everything about you at the slightest whim? Welcome to the era of Republican majority.