While I agree with your low assessment of the stupid, stupid law, what exactly do you mean "prevents its own repeal"? No law can do that except a constitutional amendment, and even then only if it specifically made repealing laws illegal.
Any law contravening the constitution can be struck down -- God and the Supreme Court willing -- on constitutional grounds.
Mostly because it permits Them(TM) to detain anybody they feel like, for no particular reason, if they can make up some reason to be suspicious. "He dislikes the Patriot Act? Why, he must be a terrorist!"
The sequel that's currently in the works makes it worse, as it would allow the government to disallow people from even discussing what happened to them if they are arrested for any reason based upon these laws. Sharing one's experiences after being told not to would get one arrested. (This was covered on Slashdot a few days ago- "Son of Patriot Act?")
It prevents its own repeal by preventing its own free discussion. While the government is starting to lose that grip over it- people are starting to really, really complain about it- how much would you bet that the top protestors of it suddenly find themselves suspected terrorists?
kistaro
Any law contravening the constitution can be struck down -- God and the Supreme Court willing -- on constitutional grounds.
The sequel that's currently in the works makes it worse, as it would allow the government to disallow people from even discussing what happened to them if they are arrested for any reason based upon these laws. Sharing one's experiences after being told not to would get one arrested. (This was covered on Slashdot a few days ago- "Son of Patriot Act?")
It prevents its own repeal by preventing its own free discussion. While the government is starting to lose that grip over it- people are starting to really, really complain about it- how much would you bet that the top protestors of it suddenly find themselves suspected terrorists?