Officially known as the “Uniting
and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept
and Obstruct Terrorism Act”, the "Patriot Act" was written shortly after September 11th in response to the terrorist attacks in 2001. The bill
was passed with little objection due to the push for national security as well
as its branding and title. The law’s main thrust was to give the federal government
more power and authorization in actively searching for, deterring and
preventing future terrorist activity. Supporters of the Patriot Act claim that the
bill has been instrumental in foiling several terrorist plots and has led to numerous
investigations and arrests. Opponents of the law question its constitutionality
and hold that it infringes on our right to privacy as American citizens.
In 2005, As part of the reauthorization of the "Patriot Act", three new tools were implemented to help fight against terrorism, one of them being
the controversial section 215. Section 215 increased the power of the FBI
so that they can demand “any tangible thing” that the FBI feels is valid to the
fight against terrorism. No probable cause is necessary for the FBI to
confiscate any books, documents, or papers one has. Neither do they need a
warrant to obtain what they wish to confiscate. This goes directly against our
constitutional fourth amendment right.
Although the government justifies that these measures are necessary for our own safety, many question if we have given up too much of our own freedom in exchange. With or without section 215 the government can still prosecute people if necessary. However, looking through a citizens emails to a friend or family member has not produced the answers that the government is looking for.
Although the government justifies that these measures are necessary for our own safety, many question if we have given up too much of our own freedom in exchange. With or without section 215 the government can still prosecute people if necessary. However, looking through a citizens emails to a friend or family member has not produced the answers that the government is looking for.
“It is not acceptable to willfully ignore the most basic provision of our constitution-in this case- the Fourth and First amendments- in the name of “security””
–Senator Rand Paul
Is it really American for the federal government to have so much power, knowledge and control over the citizens of a 'free' country? Every day the National Security Agency (NSA) has the ability and legal right to go through your texts, emails and listen in during your phone conversations. "The Patriot Act" though well intentioned, requires us to sacrifice our privacy and anonymity for the promise of a safer more secure way of life. How does this make you feel? Do you consider our nation more secure knowing that Uncle Sam is watching YOU?
"USA Patriot Act." Welcome To FinCEN.gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2013.
"Reform the Patriot Act." American Civil Liberties Union. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2013.<https://www.aclu.org/reform-patriot-act>
Rand Paul | United States Senator. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2013.
<http://www.paul.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=331164>
"The USA PATRIOT Act." Senate Judiciary Committee. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2013.
<http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/about/history/PatriotAct.cfm>
<http://www.paul.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=331164>
"The USA PATRIOT Act." Senate Judiciary Committee. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2013.
<http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/about/history/PatriotAct.cfm>
I have always been an opponent of the Patriot Act. I do believe that one of a government's main responsibility to its citizens is to ensure their safety, I feel that the Patriot Act infringes on some of the rights that are protected for each American citizen in the Constitution. One of the Patriot Act's provisions allows for federal agents to procure search warrants without probable cause. I feel that this greatly infringes on our constitutional rights as a citizen. Even though I am strongly against the Patriot Act (which I feel was also passed in haste after 9/11) I do believe that as a citizen I must give up some privacy rights (ex. social networking activities) to allow the government to keep us safe. There is definitely a fine line of what the government should have access and legal rights to.
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