New Coalition Urges Changes in US Anti-Terror Law  An unlikely
alliance of liberal and conservative groups is joining forces to
urge Congress to make some changes in the sweeping anti-
terrorism law known as the Patriot Act.  Congress passed the
Patriot Act not long after the terrorist attacks that shook the
nation and the world on September 11, 2001.  The act made it
easier for law enforcement agencies to monitor terrorist
suspects and removed bureaucratic barriers that had limited the
sharing of information between criminal investigators and
intelligence agencies.  At the same time, the Patriot Act
sparked criticism from both the political left and right that
the new monitoring powers were too intrusive.  Now, an unusual
coalition of liberal and conservative groups is urging Congress
to make some changes in the Patriot Act when it comes up for
renewal in the House and Senate later this year. Several parts
of the law related to surveillance powers are due to expire at
the end of the year unless extended by Co