Well, I made it through the first weekend, and I was not arrested under the new FISA Amendments Act of 2008 (FISA) that President Bush signed last week. I even used my cell phone, home phone and computer. I may have used my debit card, too.

About 67% of the U.S. House members voted for the bill and about 69% of the Senate members. When the President signed the bill, members of both parties attended the ceremony. Is this bipartisanship in an election year or what?

In the Senate, 28 of the most liberal members voted against the bill, including Montana’s own Jon Tester. Of course, Tester was on TV over the weekend trying to reassure Montanans that he really cares about our security as well as our constitutional rights.

The 28 most liberal members of the Senate did not include Barack Obama, who changed his views on the bill and voted for it. He’s trying to be elected President, so he wants people to believe he cares about our national security.

I’ve even seen a few letters to the editor trying to put fear in people by saying we are losing our rights and that we are being spied on, or that we have lost the Fourth Amendment:

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Well, the weekend passed and big brother left me alone. I’m sure it’s the same for almost everyone across the globe (except those who are terrorists or harboring terrorists). The Fourth Amendment is alive and well. America is a little safer thanks to the members of the House and Senate who voted for the FISA Amendments Act of 2008.