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I want to chime in and say that while the means of limiting free speech may have been passed in the Patriot Act, I personally do not see how free speech has been significantly impinged in reality -- especially compared to other "wartime" situations. For instance, Blix was in Chicago tonight speaking at an exhibit containing large exhibits outlining "they said" vs. "they did." He even made the local news, saying that he never found real WMD evidence in Iraq or information that Iraq was sharing technology with terrorists or other states. Additionally, I note that if you want to see free speech, watch Jon Stewart's show; tonight he ran a Fox news article where Cheney was speaking about successes in Iraq while a "breaking story" was shown on the same frame that covered recent terrorist efforts in Iraq -- including the burning of several buildings and car bombings. It was a funny juxtaposition and a interesting and biting commentary against Cheney. It sewayed into the discussion on the House floor today -- 6 hours of speeches just to justify a resolution saying "the world is safer with Saddam Hussein removed"; especially biting was Stewart's statements that the 9/11 connection repeatedly espoused by several Representatives were "insulting" and "outrageous."
In short, I'd say free speech tends to live on. Now, as I noted before, the means to curtail speech may be found in the flawed Patriot Act -- but they have not been utilized. Pres. Bush has repeatedly stated he is all for free speech. He's obviously for spin doctoring as well, but both sides do that.
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