Controversy ove the Patriot Act

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Recommended: USA Patriot Act that was enacted after 9-11

Still Free to Speak about the USA PATRIOT Act

To some, the United and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) act is a law essential to winning the War on Terrorism; for others, this act is viewed with utmost contempt for its Orwellian nature allowing Big Brother to read your email and look through your library records. The security versus liberty debate prevails with both sides citing legal and ethical reasons in support or in opposition to this controversial act.

Hastily passed with virtually no debate forty five days after the terror attacks of September 11, the USA PATRIOT act’s stated purpose is to “deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world, to enhance law enforcement investigatory tools, and for other purposes (USA PATRIOT act).” According to the United States Department of Justice, the act “allows investigators to us the tools that were already available to investigate organized crime and drug trafficking.” These aforementioned tools include roving wiretaps and increased surveillance including electronic surveillance. One of the less controversial aspects of the USA PATRIOT act allow for “facilitated information sharing and cooperation among government agencies so that they can better ‘connect the dots.’” Even most civil libertarians who oppose the USA PATRIOT act do not have a problem with this aspect. Furthermore, the act “updated the law to reflect new technologies and new threats.” These “updates” include the ability for law enforcement officials to obtain a search warrant from any jurisdiction to search any jurisdiction and the ability of the government to monitor computer hackers. Finally, the USA PATRIOT act “i...

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...7. United States District Court. Central District of California. 22 January 2004.

Sen. Kyl (AZ). "Uniting and Strengthening America Act," Congressional Record. (11 October 2001) pp. S10590.

Muslim Community Association of Ann Arbor v. John Ashcroft. No. 03-72913. United States District Court. Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division. Ruling pending.

Obama, Barack. 2004 Democratic National Convention, Boston. 27 July 2004.

“Seeking Truth from Justice.” ACLU. Jul 2003. 9 December 2004. .

United and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) act of 2001. Pub. L. 107-56. 26 Oct. 2001. 115 Stat. 272.

United States. Department of Justice. Preserving Life & Liberty. 9 December 2004 .

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