Pros And Cons Of The Patriot Act - 1354 Words

The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (USA PATRIOT Act) is one of the most controversial pieces of legislation to ever pass through the US Senate. Its critics use fear mongering tactics to scare people into opposition of an intrusive police state which they believe is inevitable given the government’s new powers. They consider the Act an assault on civil liberties and an invasion of the privacy of innocent American citizens. Yet the real issue is not that the government now has new powers, it’s that the American people do not trust our intelligence agencies to handle these new powers properly while still respecting their rights. The main criticisms of the†¦show more content†¦He called this collection a â€Å"logical program† (qtd. In Isikoff), although when pressed for any examples of this database being used to stop terror attacks, Stone replied simply, â€Å"We found none .† The thing about the Patriot Act that is truly terrifying, is â€Å"the lack of government candor in describing its implementation† (Lithwick and Turner). This means that the American people don’t trust their government to use their powers as the people were told they would be. While many claim that the Patriot Act is an attack on Americans’ civil liberties, there is a strong case for the Act and the changes it brings. An article published in the Washington Post looks at the claims made by the ACLU and systematically pokes gaping holes in them. For one, the claim that NSLs can be issued without a judge’s approval is only partially true. While a normal search warrant is issued to law enforcement by a civilian judge, â€Å"the FBI can do nothing under Section 215 without the approval of a federal court.†(Mac Donald, In Defense). The idea of a federal judge issuing an NSL to spy on someone who â€Å"wrote a letter to the editor that criticize d government policy(Mac Donald, In Defense) as the ACLU claims, is inconceivable. Another critique made by the ACLU is against the Act’s â€Å"Sneak and Peek† provision. While described as a blatant power grab by the government, there is a long precedent for the delay of notice regarding a search warrant. Especially when such aShow MoreRelatedPros And Cons Of The Patriot Act1304 Words   |  6 Pageson September 11th.The USA patriot act came into effect in order to safeguard the nation from the possible terrorist activities after the dreadful that dreadful day. The USA Patriot act allowed for the various security officers to search homes or business enterprises of any suspect without the owner’s consent, and also allows the FBI to wiretap and have access to certain financial information without the individuals consent. There has been a lot of controversy over the act, because some say it is aRead MorePros And Cons Of The Patriot Act1875 Words   |  8 Pagesth is essay I will discuss the pros and the cons of the Patriot Act, how it affected the lives of US citizens and the world, and whether or not it fits within our democratic form of government. The Patriot Act was a rapidly drafted and approved Act of Congress which was intended to increase the security of US citizens by combatting terrorism. Although granting increased security to an extent, the Act was and still is extremely controversial due to certain parts of the Act limiting the freedoms of AmericanRead MorePros and Cons on the Patriot Act Essay730 Words   |  3 PagesUSA Patriot Act This Act may be cited as the Uniting and Strengthening America Act by providing appropriate tools required to intercept and obstruct terrorism. President Bush signed the Patriot Act on October 29, 2001. It passed and with no debate voted on; many members of congress did not fully read the act. Due to the anthrax scare many Congressman did not have access to their offices. Attorney General John Ashcroft silenced any debate by warning that anyone who contested the Act would beRead MoreThe Patriot Act; Agree of Disagree877 Words   |  4 PagesThe Patriot Act: Agree or Disagree Amanda Collier ENG/215 August 27, 2012 Bruce Massis The Patriot Act: Agree or Disagree President George W. Bush signed into law on October 26, 2001 The USA PATRIOT Act. The title of the Act is a letter acronym: Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (PUBLIC LAW 107–56—OCT. 26, 2001) This Act was written to prevent and punish terrorist acts here in the United States as wellRead MoreWhere Do You Stand on the Usa Patriot Act?1068 Words   |  5 PagesAmerica s core freedoms. Congress passed the USA Patriot Act (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism) in 2001 just weeks after the attacks, with the intention of helping law enforcement act more effectively in investigating potential terrorists. However, this act may do more harm than good. Some groups, such as the American Library Association, state that the act infringes on Fourth Amendment rights guaranteed to us inRead MoreMinorities and Women in Criminal Justice1064 Words   |  5 PagesStates. Sexism against women is shown in the media and indicates that sexism still pervades in our society. Another key issue is the overrepresentation and disparities among minorities in the criminal justice system. After the act of September 11, racial profiling and other acts of racial hate crimes suggests that racism occurs. Another key issue that indicates that racial disparities occur in the criminal justice system is the overrepresentation of minorities in the Juvenile Justice system. Read MoreThe United States Patriot Act1533 Words   |  7 PagesKaylyn Dailey 11/27/16 Professor Carter American Gov. Term Paper Patriot Act On September 11, 2001, the Unites States suffered massive destruction caused by terrorism. Four planes were hijacked by terrorist. Nearly, three thousand lives were lost when two planes crashed into the World Trade Towers, one crashed into the Pentagon, and the final plane crashed in Pennsylvania before it could reach its final destination. An immense fear spread across the country and out of this fear came the UnitingRead MoreGrand Canyon Jus 505 All Week Discussions - Latest 2015748 Words   |  3 Pageswhether the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976 after a 4-year hiatus did or did not result in an empirically verified deterrent. Explain if you are in favor of or against the death penalty. Support your position What would be the pros and cons of abolishing the death penalty? Support your answer with specifics. week 6 Does parens patriae truly still exist under the current U.S. juvenile justice system? Explain why you feel the way you do. Give examples to support your claims. Read MoreTechnology Has Become An Important Factor For Day1903 Words   |  8 Pagesthe government invading that bubble of personal space. The Patriot Act legalized mass surveillance in America in 2002. The Act was passed by President W. Bush, and remains a relevant controversial topic. The government s point of view of the Act is, â€Å"The Patriot Act allows investigators to use the tools that were already available to investigate organized crime and drug trafficking, according to the government’s justice website. The Act was passed a month and a half after the devastating 9/11 terroristRead MoreTaking a Look at Government Surveillance2224 Words   |  9 Pagesrepeal The Olmstead v. United States in Katz v. United States were the court considered that any possessions of that person is now off limits, even calls or messages unless they have a warrant. Which in 1968, The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets act was passed by congress that restricts wiretapping, adding an exception to that rule if the president orders it and if it is to protect America. 1972, President Nixon gets caught for his involvement with the Watergate scandal, and was the first president