US Judge decides email surveillance without evidence is OK

Using the Patriot Act as their excuse, the Justice Department has convinced an obviously Republican Judge has approved the use of email surveillance of people, even when there is no proof of wrongdoing. I know that the US has been hit with some pretty bad events in the past few years with regards to terrorism, but somehow, I don't believe giving police powers they can abuse without even needing any evidence is what should be permitted in a supposed "free" country.

Benjamin Franklin said it best:

They that would give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.

So much for the land of the free and home of the brave... Maybe more like the land of Big Brother and home of the Cowardly Administration. I don't understand why more Americans aren't fighting against such totalitarian acts.