Surprise! Conservatives oppose Patriot Act

My usual policy with Republican radio talker Mark Belling is not to even ignore him, since he thrives on attention. But once in awhile he gets so far out there that it's tempting to reel him in.

Belllng's recent column savages Russ Feingold for his opposition to the Patriot Act, which Belling praises as the greatest thing to come along since zippers.

He might be surprised to find that he's way out of touch with business community and real conservatives on the issue.

The National Assn. of Manufacturers, National Assn. of Realtors, and US Chamber of Commerce are among the signers of a letter opposing the bill as it stands and asking for changes. Another broadly-based coalition, Patriots to Restore Checks and Balances, includes the American Conservative Union, Gun Owners of America, the Second Amendment Foundation, Americans for Tax Reform, and others.

Maybe Belling thinks those groups, at whose altars he usually worships, have gone over to the dark side, and -- as he says about Russ Feingold -- are nothing but demagogues.