If I were a terrorist...

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"2. Al Qaeda has historically shown a preference for "large" demonstrations of terror"

This is exactly my point- killing americans isn't the primary goal, it is simply an effective way of getting mass publicity.

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I dont see your point at all. To the extent that the Patriot Act disrupts networks and cells, and helps law enforcement and intelligence prevent more large-scale terrorist acts, this is a goal we should applaud. If Patriot Act serves this goal--and that is the central point up for debate--we should continue to support it.