From WNYC in New York, this is On the Media. I'm Bob Carfield. And I'm Brooke Gladstone. This week,

we revisit the creation of the Patriot Act, a blitzkrieg maneuver that set the stage for 14 years

of legal and political wrangling. We took on the Patriot Act six months ago on the eve of the expiration of several

key provisions. The future was full of uncertainty and promise because we seemed to be teetering

on the brink of a post-Patriot Act era. No, that's too strong. Let's just say a somewhat less

patriot-acty era.

Long story short, the provisions expired, then were partially reinstated.

And now, well, more on that later.

But six months after the original legislative showdown in the midst of a furious campaign season,

and after the Paris attacks, the fundamental struggle

between security and civil liberties has gained new urgency.

But let's begin at the beginning, a tortured acronym that kind of said it all, uniting

and strengthening America by providing appropriate tools required to intercept and obstruct terrorism.

Put it all together, and you get the USA Patriot Act.

Born in smoke, ashes, and fear.

Now remember, oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

That looks like a second plane.

So this looks like it is some sort of a concerted effort to attack the World Trade Center that is underway.

You know all that.

You don't need a lengthy audio montage to remember September 11, 2001.

So here's a montage you haven't heard from the floor of the House of Representatives on October 12, 2001.

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