After passionate debate Tuesday night, the Ames City Council finally took a “symbolic” vote to oppose portions of the USA Patriot Act. But this “symbolic” decision was hardly poignant — it is more like a mother who pretends to spank her child than a condemnation of a civil liberty-threatening statute.

After more than an hour of considering the resolution to denounce the Patriot Act, the City Council slashed the teeth of the resolution that made it meaningful. The council only opposed some portions of the act — although never specifying which portions — and removed the clause stating it is the council’s oath to uphold the Constitution and that it should heed the motto of Iowa, which states: “Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.”

If the council prizes its own liberties and those of its constituents, then it should oppose an act — in its entirety — that lets freedom be violated by allowing searches without warrants, access to library records, indefinite incarcerations and more.

The Patriot Act, passed in October of 2001 in response to the attacks on the World Trade Towers and the Pentagon, was intended to help prevent terrorism, a worthy, important goal. Its infringement on civil liberties, though, is unacceptable, especially because it allows for searches that are in direct opposition to the Fourth Amendment’s right against illegal search and seizure and conflict the right to privacy, protected by the penumbra of the same amendment.

In addition to the council’s effort being a toothless bite, it also appears to be more of a follower than a leader in taking a stance. Although only 250 other cities have declared their dislike for the Patriot Act, votes against the act began in abundance last fall. Chicago voted against the act Oct. 1, joining the ranks of cities like Minneapolis, Detroit, Baltimore, Philadelphia and San Francisco at the time. Even Dallas, stereotyped as the home of cowboys and conservatives, beat Ames to the punch when the Dallas City Council denounced the act at its Feb. 25 meeting. So passionately against the act was one Dallas councilman that he cried when speaking of his heartfelt opposition to the statute.

Although Ames was slow, it must be admitted that cities like Dallas and even New York City were slow to take a stand. However, New York City gave its resolution more of an impact by calling for a repeal of the original Patriot Act and the proposed Patriot Act II — a stipulation Chicago struck from its decision and an option Ames did not consider.

We appreciate the debate and rancor the Ames City Council devoted to this resolution. But in their effort to please all sides they succeeded in not only pleasing none, but in appearing ineffective and indecisive. Our civil liberties deserve more than a toothless vote.