>>That is the date that the "Patriot Act" was signed into law.
>>Most people never read the act nor do they realize how many rights they have lost. But, in order to 'protect' our freedoms some feel we have to give them up. Most reports focus on people here on visas or who have entered the country illegally, but they pay little attention to the effects that the Patriot Act will have the rights of citizens. An amazing thing is that the bill wasn't even printed before they voted on it, so one wonders how they could have read it in its final form.
>
>OK, thanks. One more question - did you get the date wrong (Oct. 2002), or is this act entering in effect in the future?

Opps! Your right, a typo. It was passed by Congress on Oct 21, 2001 (even before the bill was printed, so they voted for something that they never read) and signed by Pres Bush on Oct 26, 2001.
Here is a URL which discusses the implications of the Act, especially sections IV and V.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_02/04.02A.JVB.Patriot.htm

JLK