I read up on it yesterday morning. Its awful!
So, some terrorists attack the US, and we lose our freedoms.
Is that the way it works? 
Our government now has the power to:
   See what your read at the library
   See what you do on the internet
   See all of your financial transactions
   See all wire transactions
   Search your possessions without a warrant
   Throw you in jail for an indefinite period of time
   Wiretap your phone and monitor your cell phone with a warrent.
All they have to do is say your an expected terrorist, and you are toast.
It sounds a lot like the McCarthy years, where all they had to do is say you are a communist to ruin your life.
The patriot act was a major step backwards for personal freedom.
Thank god that its various components are being challenged by the ACLU.