I happened to receive an e-mail from U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., yesterday afternoon telling me he was voting against extending the Patriot Act.  Then I read in today’s local paper that both Tester and U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., voted against bringing the re-authorization to the floor (Cloture on the Motion to Proceed).  They were part of the eight senators who (thankfully) lost that vote 74-8.  Eighteen senators took that vote off.

The Great Falls Tribune thinks it is so neat that they have a poll up asking, “Do you agree with Montana’s congressional delegation that the Patriot Act should expire?”

I voted NO.

I also found it disturbing to read that U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., will probably not support the extension of the Patriot Act in the House.

These things happen when people have no experience in the world of national security, defense, or military issues. Continue reading →