The appendix clause of the Patriot Act

Another conservative talking head appeared on FOX News to discuss the Patriot Act and the library search clause. Johan Goldberg echoes the mantra that this clause, which allows the government to search through the records of public libraries has never been used. Media Matters correctly asks the question, "How would he know?"

However, it is unlikely that Goldberg could accurately make such an assertion, since the Patriot Act prohibits libraries that have been served with a search warrant from publicly disclosing that information.

A few questions, then. If Johan's claim is true, though, and the clause has never been used, then what's the point of having it in the first place? Why fight so hard for a clause that serves no purpose in the overall war on terror, especially if we are "winning" that war? And if that claim is the basis of Johan's argument in the first place, then once that clause is used, does that mean he will then oppose it?