Even More Bitchslapping for Mr. Bush

Yesterday, some of us were in despair hearing about the 6 month extension of the Patriot Act brokered by the Senate, when it looked like George Bush's spying revelations would finally bring an end to that unread, un-American law.

Today -- just a few moments ago -- the House of Representatives said "Hell No Bush. If you want this PATRIOT ACT thing extended until we talk about it and tweak it, fine. You got a MONTH."

That's right. ONE month. So right now, there is a conflict between the House and Senate bills that requires a Conference Committee to sort it out. Thus, unless some sort of minor miracle in Dubbya's favor occurs (i.e. folks can be persuaded *not* to go home tonight for Christmas vacation) one of two things will happen:

The mandatory conference committee that has to reconcile the House and Senate bills will stay over the holidays instead of go home, and will present something on New Year's Eve that will be read by almost nobody (AGAIN), most likely a split-the-baby solution that leaves us stuck with USA PATRIOT for 3 more months.

Or

Folks are going to dig in, and the major provisions of the USA PATRIOT ACT will expire at midnight on January 1, 2006.

You know which one I am rooting for.