PATRIOTic Bedlam

Who says the US political process is dull? A certifiable shouting match broke out this week at the review in the House Judiciary Committee meeting concerning provisions of the USAPATRIOT Act which will sunset unless extended. Of course, The Administration wants the extension of the provisions of the insanely bloated and potentially dangerous Patriot Act, which was rammed through Congress in the emotional blind-spot following 9/11.

The Republican chairman walked off with the gavel, leaving Democrats shouting into turned-off microphones at a raucous hearing Friday on the Patriot Act.

The House Judiciary Committee hearing, with the two sides accusing each other of being irresponsible and undemocratic, came as President Bush was urging Congress to renew those sections of the post-Sept. 11 counterterrorism law set to expire in September.

Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., chairman of the panel, abruptly gaveled the meeting to an end and walked out, followed by other Republicans. Sensenbrenner declared that much of the testimony, which veered into debate over the detainees at Guantanamo Bay, was irrelevant.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (news, bio, voting record), D-N.Y., protested, raising his voice as his microphone went off, came back on, and went off again.

"We are not besmirching the honor of the United States, we are trying to uphold it," he said.

While the tempers flare is not the most productive method of progress, it is vitally encouraging that, at last, Democrats in Congress feel like stepping up with some dissenting voices.