Rand Paul: 'I'm Accused of Wanting Terrorists to Have Weapons'

May 2011 — On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) heaped praise on freshman Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), calling him "reasonable" and a "very pleasant man with strong, strong feelings" about amending the Patriot Act.

On Wednesday, Reid was done with the pleasantries.

The majority leader took to the Senate floor and accused Paul of putting the country at risk of a terrorist attack by stalling on a vote to renew parts of the Patriot Act, which expire at midnight on Thursday.

"Our law enforcement will not be able to use the critical tools they need to combat terrorism. If they cannot use these tools, tool that identify and track terrorist suspects, it could have dire consequences for our national security," Reid said.

"When the clock strikes midnight tomorrow, we will be giving terrorists the opportunity to plot against our country undetected. ... The senator from Kentucky is threatening to take away the best tools we have for stopping them."

In Paul's eyes, Reid's remarks were a low blow.

"I rise in response to a scurrilous accusation. I've been accused of wanting to allow terrorists to have weapons to attack America. To be attacked of such a belief when I'm here to discuss and debate the constitutionality of the Patriot Act is offensive," Paul said. "I find it personally insulting. And I think it demeans the body. It demeans the Senate body and the people that we can't have an intelligent debate over the constitutionality of this."

hypocrite harry reid says paying income tax is voluntary, not forced by IRS agents with guns

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"Leave no authority existing not responsible to the people."

—Thomas Jefferson

Time For A New American Revolution?