Can't even agree that it's a baby step. As I understand the way the House structured this, it is an appropriations bill subject to a presidential veto. Thus, instead of actually saying, "We will not a pass a law that so utterly and grossly violates basic rights," they instead said, "We will take a cop out that Bush can veto, leaving the gross violation of human rights in place but pretending that we care."

Democrats and Republicans combined to create a meaningless bit of legislation, fully understanding that it will not stand, when in fact that could've removed the offending parts from the Patriot Act altogether. Not even baby steps - more like an attempt to hand us a pacifier and then crawl away while we aren't looking.

I will happily admit to being wrong if the House and Senate override the veto, but I don't think there's much chance of that happening