Don't extend Patriot Act without changes

Reprinted from the Orange County Register

The House this past Thursday adjourned for its week-long Memorial Day recess leaving uncertain the fate of three provisions of the USA Patriot Act scheduled to expire June 1.

Sen. John McCain, the Arizona, Republican, told CNN on Friday that he expects the House to interrupt its recess “for a few hours” to pass a short-term extension of the expiring provisions.

“I think,” said McCain, “one thing we all are in agreement in (is) we can’t shut down the entire operation.”

But no one is talking about repealing the entire Patriot Act — save for maybe Sen. Ra...