The Hill Is Alive…

… with the sound of Patriot Act disquiet.

The San Jose Mercury News (registration required) writes, “This was supposed to be the year when the Patriot Act, passed in haste after the terrorist attacks of 2001, finally got a thoughtful hearing in Congress. Suddenly that appears less likely.”

Knight Ridder quotes Grover Norquist at the recent Patriots to Restore Checks and Balances news conference: “Norquist said he hoped debate concerning the Patriot Act would be robust, open and non-partisan so lawmakers could fully weigh the consequences of the law. ‘Nobody should fear that conversation,’ Norquist said. ‘They (on the right and left) should welcome it.'”

The Dallas Morning News criticizes both the House and Senate Patriot renewal bills: “Fighting terrorism and protecting civil liberties are a delicate equilibrium. Congress must do a better job of finding the proper balance.” The Deseret News in Utah highlights the internecine fighting between two Republicans in the state’s delegation-Senator Hatch and Rep. Chris Cannon-over the act.

The message seems pretty consistent: we’ve got time. Take a breath. Do this right. Don’t cave to the administration.

Not surprisingly, many papers are pointing to the 9/11 Commission’s report. Tucked away on pages 394 and 395, the report’s authors include some wise advice:

Recommendation: The burden of proof for retaining a particular governmental power should be on the executive, to explain (a) that the power actually materially enhances security and (b) that there is adequate supervision of the executive’s use of the powers to ensure protection of civil liberties. If the power is granted, there must be adequate guidelines and oversight to properly confine its use.

There’s still time for the House and Senate legislation to fit this bill (no pun intended). But that time is shortening by the hour.