There's a big difference between basic public safety and opening the door to more surveillance by big brother.

Funny, I remember someone complaining about a similar bill, except it was a bill which required warrants (which this doesn't) and requiring specific court oversight of the monitoring agencies (which this doesn't).

IIRC it was called the patriot act?

Oh, right, I forget, that was a bill supported by the current President, so it must have been bad. My mistake.