The Patriot Act is Detrimental to the Rights of American Citizens
analytical Essay
2329 words
Over two hundred years ago, the founding fathers of this great nation signed their names to the Declaration of Independence, sending a message to Great Britain that they were tired of being subservient to a monarch who had no respect for his people. These extraordinary men understood the concept of liberty and embraced it with great passion. They were all too familiar with the consequences of a government with excess power. In order to prevent America from returning to the ways of Great Britain, they crafted one of the greatest documents ever written, the Constitution of the United States of America. Contained in the Constitution is the Bill of Rights which details the rights the citizens of the United States of America are guaranteed. Unfortunately, during the past two hundred years, politicians seem to have lost focus on the principle of personal liberty. One of the most recent examples of this came with the passage of Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001. The USA PATRIOT Act is a crucial attack to the rights of American citizens and a disgrace to the men who fought for their freedoms in the Revolutionary War. There is no doubt that the days following September 11, 2001 were some of the most terrifying in the nation’s history. The country had been attacked, new reports of anthrax on letters were surfacing daily and many feared another attack was just around the corner (“Surveillance”). Senator Russ Feingold, the sole opponent to the USA PATRIOT Act in the Senate, described the weeks following September 11 in his book, While America Sleeps (Hulse). He wrote that “The combination of constant security fears with the weightiness... ... middle of paper ... ...atriot Act Violates Civil Liberties Are Unfounded.” The Patriot Act. Louise I. Gerdes. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2005. 93-94. Print. “Seeking Truth From Justice.” American Civil Liberties Union. July 2003. Web. 23 February 2012. “Surveillance Under the USA PATRIOT Act.” American Civil Liberties Union. 10 December 2010. Web. 22 February 2012. “The Constitution of the United States,” Amendment 1. “The Constitution of the United States,” Amendment 4. “The Constitution of the United States,” Amendment 5. “UNITING AND STRENGTHENING AMERICA BY PROVIDING APPROPRIATE TOOLS REQUIRED TO INTERCEPT AND OBSTRUCT TERRORISM (USA PATRIOT ACT) ACT OF 2001.” PUB. L. 107-56. 115 STAT. 272. 26 October 2001. Web. Webster, Michael. “Patriot Act Unconstitutional.” Renew America. 19 April 2009. Web. 21 February 2012.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the founding fathers of the united states of america signed their names to the declaration of independence to show that they were tired of being subservient to a monarch who had no respect for their people.
- Explains that the days following september 11, 2001 were some of the most terrifying in the nation's history. the bush administration bullied congress into passing the usa patriot act of 2001.
- Argues that the idea that forty-five days was long enough to analyze the bill itself and the reasons behind the success of the terrorist attacks on september 11 is problematic.
- Explains that section 215 of the usa patriot act violates the first amendment by stating that an investigation cannot be conducted of a united states person solely on the basis of activities protected by the first amendment.
- Explains that the usa patriot act threatens the fourth amendment. probable cause is a crucial part of this amendment. the foreign intelligence surveillance act expanded this narrow exception.
- Explains the difference between the two types of surveillance used with wiretaps: the first permits access to the content of a communication, and the second limits the search to transactional information.
- Explains how the government has confused the two types of surveillance. the aclu argues that a list of website addresses is still transactional data.
- Explains that web addresses are rich and revealing content. the urls or "addresses" of web pages are not addresses, but titles of documents that we download from the internet.
- Explains that the usa patriot act violates the fifth amendment of the constitution. it is crucial that prior notice is kept a priority when searches are conducted.
- Explains that the government forces ities to operate inthe open, and allows the subject of searches to protect their fourth amendment rights.
- Explains that the usa patriot act was passed to "provide appropriate tools required to intercept and obstruct terrorism," but the new "sneak and peak" searches are available for use in normal criminal investigations.
- Analyzes how the aclu blasted the justice department in "seeking truth from justice" for denying the true nature of their creation.
- Explains that one u.s. district judge ann aiken has declared the foreign intelligence surveillance act unconstitutional.
- Analyzes how the usa patriot act undermines american citizens' civil liberties and attempts to destroy the foundation of america.
- Explains that judge rules part of patriot act unconstitutional.
- States dash, samuel, and hulse, carl, in freedom from unfair searches and seizures: the patriot act threatens fourth amendment rights.
- Describes the provisions of the american civil liberties union's "surveillance under the usa patriot act."
Related
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- explanatory
- Russell Feingold: A Patriot Against the USA Patriot Actanalytical essayLess than one week after the devastating terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the U.S.A. Patriot Act was introduced to Congress. One month later, the act passed in the Senate with a vote of 98-1. A frightened nation had cried for protection against further attacks, but certainly got more than they had asked for. Russell Feingold, the only Senator to vote down the act, referred to it as, “legislation on the fly, unlike anything [he] had ever seen.” In their haste to protect our great nation, Congress suspended, “normal procedural processes, such as interagency review and committee hearings,” and, “many provisions were not checked for their constitutionality, lack of judicial oversight, and potential for abuse.” Ninety-eight senators were willing to overlook key civil liberty issues contained within the 342 page act. The lone dissenting vote, Wisconsin Senator Russell Feingold, felt that our battle against terrorism would be lost “without firing a shot” if we were to “sacrifice the liberties of the American people.” Feingold duly defended American civil liberties at the risk of his career, truly exemplifying political courage as defined by John F. Kennedy.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the u.s.a. patriot act was introduced to congress less than a week after the terrorist attacks of september 11, 2001.
- Explains that feingold's position as the only senator voicing opposition to the patriot act did not come without controversy.
- Analyzes how wisconsin's republican senate challenger of 2004, tim michels, made an entire advertisement campaign out of feingold’s vote.
- Analyzes how feingold's approval ratings soared after his controversial vote against the patriot act. the waukesha freeman declared that he deserves praise for taking on this tough cause when nobody else would.
- Analyzes how senator feingold used his growing support base to continue fighting the patriot act's provisions that he found to endanger the american public’s rights.
- Opines that senator feingold's courage and determination would have prevented dissenting votes against the patriot act, and the civil liberties of the public would never have been considered.
- Cites the patriot act book and senator feingold’s speech.
- Cites the following sources: http://www.jfklibrary.org/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest/curriculum-ideas
881 wordsRead More - The Patriot Act Protects Americaexplanatory essayThe Patriot Act Protects America Since September 11, 2001 many people can say that America has changed. Many people question if America has changed for the better or has it just gotten worse. Since the day those four planes crashed around the United States people’s lives have been changed. Many may not realize how their lives have changed, but with new laws passed life is different within America. The United States Patriot Act is one of the laws passed after 9/11: singed into order on October 26, 2001 just 45 days after the attack.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the united states patriot act is one of the laws passed after 9/11: singed into order on october 26, 2001 just 45 days after the attack.
- Explains that the u.s. patriot act is an acronym for uniting and strengthening america by providing appropriate tools required to intercept and obstruct terrorism acts.
- Explains that some americans think the u.s. patriot act goes against american’s civil liberties due to unnecessary searches that are condoned by the act.
- Explains that the united states patriot act has increased funding for the federal bureau of investigation and counter terrorism funds. the expansion of national electronic crime task force has also been improved.
- Explains that without the united states patriot act people will still fear terrorism. the government can help make laws to prevent it.
- Cites huffman, ryan, david lloyd, and jason pollard. pros of the patriot act. 2001. keen, judy.
761 wordsRead More - Senator Feingold Research Paperanalytical essaySenator Feingold responded that “we will lose that war [on Terrorism] without firing a shot if we sacrifice the liberties of the American people.” It is now 2017, but Senator Feingold’s arguments from September and October of 2001 continue to pointedly remind the American people of the negative effects the Patriot Act had on American life and will continue to have moving forward. The heart of Feingold’s stance against the Patriot Act was the counter-productivity of it. The, “government of the people, for the people and by the people,” (Lincoln Online) would essentially trade liberties for security. Liberties the Founding Fathers deemed too innate to individuals to list. What purpose will “security” serve if there are no liberties left to defend? If the
In this essay, the author
- Explains that senator feingold was the only senator to vote against the patriot act before it was signed into law. the overwhelming majority voiced support for the legislation congress drafted and decreed would solve the threat of terrorism.
- Analyzes senator feingold's resounding answer when asked why he voted against the patriot act that pierces the marrow of truth in fighting against terrorism.
- Explains that if the federal government curtails american liberty, then security is rendered worthless and a mere idea of the past.
493 wordsRead More - What Is The Pros And Cons Of The Patriot Actexplanatory essayAfter the attack on the World Trade Centers on September 11, 2001, the United States became more aware of threats facing them. The 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, passed an act that was meant to strengthen the safety of the Untied State’s citizens and broaden law enforcements abilities. This was also meant to identify and stop terrorists. This act was called the Patriot Act and was initiated in 2001. The full title of this act is “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001”, and coincidentally the bill itself is very long. So long, that only a few members of the House of Senate read the full bill. It was considered controversial by many for it
In this essay, the author
- Explains that after the attacks on the world trade centers on september 11, 2001, the united states became more aware of threats facing them. the patriot act was initiated in 2001.
144 wordsRead More - America Needs the Patriot Actexplanatory essayIs the Patriot Act Unconstitutional? The Patriot Act was introduced in 2001 after the September 11 attacks. The Patriot Acts purpose is to deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world. The Patriot Act Is meant to help stop terrorism by making it easier to get search warrants for suspected terrorists. The purpose of the Patriot Act is to enable law enforcement officials to track down and punish those responsible for the attacks on 9/11 and to protect against any similar attacks. The Act grants the government the powers to trace and intercept terrorist communications both for law enforcement and intelligence purposes. This means that the government can use wire taps, monitor email traffic, confiscate property, and impose book keeping requirements on financial institutions to stop the funding of terrorism. The patriot act allows information to be shared between intelligence agencies, allows one wiretap authorization to cover multiple devices such as cell phones and computers, allows easier access to business records in foreign intelligence investigations, makes it easier to launch foreign intelligence wiretaps and searches, allows search warrants that allow authorities to search a home or business without notifying the targeted suspect, and it bans giving any form of support to terror organizations. The patriot act makes it easier for the authorities to get a search warrant if the subject is suspected of terrorism. The patriot act allows the government access to books, documents, and other records related to the suspect. (FAS)
In this essay, the author
- Explains the patriot act's purpose, which is to deter and punish terrorist acts in the united states and around the world.
- Explains that people support the patriot act because they fear terrorist attacks and believe it helps ruin terror plots and find terrorists.
- Explains that people who don't support the patriot act believe that it violates the first amendment rights, the right to protection against unlawful discrimination, due process, and privacy.
- Opines that the patriot act prevents and helps stop terrorism. they don't associate themselves with any terror suspects or anything like that.
- Cites abramson, larry. the usa patriot act: preserving life and liberty. department of justice. 2011.
835 wordsRead More - Big Brother: An American Realityanalytical essayIn a post 9/11 era, the American people were devastated by the attacks on the world trade center. Politicians rushed in a bipartisan agreement to push and enact the Patriot Act with the intent of keeping the United States safe. Immediately after 9/11, a panic broke out and many Americans supported the idea of giving up their rights for safety without any hesitation. Now, twelve years later, many skeptics call in to question the Patriot Act and the agencies created as a result of the legislation. In 2001, Former Senator Russ Feingold was the only senator to vote against the Patriot Act. Senator Feingold stated, "The first caution was that we must continue to respect our Constitution and protect our civil liberties in the wake of the attacks" (Statement on the USA PATRIOT Act). With fear fresh in their minds, many Americans were blinded by the promises of national security.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that the expansion of police power after 9/11 poses a troubling issue. the patriot act and government surveillance needs to be brought into question today.
- Argues that the patriot act should be reformed because it violates the united states constitution and gives the government unchecked power to spy on american citizens.
- Analyzes how the patriot act has evolved into a powerful spying machine collecting data and disregarding basic american rights.
- Analyzes how the patriot act has opened up new risks to american citizens and the rest of the world.
- Opines that law enforcement agencies should use government surveillance technologies to catch murderers and drug lords but programs like prism step out of line because they spy on everyone regardless of their "threat" level.
- Describes prism as a program designed to monitor and gather information from users of nine different internet companies such as facebook, google, microsoft, apple, yahoo, and others.
- Argues that the way data is obtained is crucial to obtaining data from someone. the students responded by painting a positive image of the comments, ideas, and photos they post online.
- Argues that privacy is the building block of our democracies. the patriot act instituted unconstitutional surveillance on american citizens and people across the globe.
- Argues that the patriot act is inconsistent with a constitutional democracy. the nsa performs "dragnet" surveillance of everyone's communications and they also perform individual surveillance.
- Argues that the united states patriot act violates the fourth amendment and the first amendments by allowing agencies to have unwarranted access to personal information.
- Opines that the patriot act gives the government more power based on ignorance. it evolved from fighting the war on terror to violating basic civil liberties.
- Explains that the surveillance state repeal act is just one of many ways to restore balance to american freedoms.
- Opines that the patriot act helps detect terrorist threats, but the threats are used as a scapegoat for an unconstitutional piece of legislation.
- Opines that the world needs to look at the examples set by internet companies and activists in order to enforce the power we as voters have.
- Describes the fbi's brief history, which was released on 21 may 2010.
- Analyzes how the nsa betrayed the world's trust -- time to act.
- Analyzes park, alex, aj vicens, and dave gilson's "how we got from 9/11 to massive nsa spying on."
- Analyzes how the united states has adopted forms of legislation with the intention of improving national security, from prohibition, to gun laws.
2795 wordsRead More - Sacrificing Freedom for Securityanalytical essayThe 9/11 attack changed America in ways that made limits on our freedom and privacy seem better than the alternative. On September 11, 2001, “...our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist attacks,” President George W. Bush stated in a public address shortly after the attacks. He also stated, “Today, our nation saw evil – the very worst of human nature – and we responded with the very best of America,” to calm fears ...
In this essay, the author
- Argues that freedom and security are integral parts that keep our nation running smoothly, yet they are often seen conflicting with one another.
- Analyzes how the 9/11 attack changed america in ways that made limits on our freedom and privacy seem better than the alternative.
- Analyzes how the usa patriot act became a shorthand for government abuse and overreaching.
- Explains that the 1996 antiterrorism act after the oklahoma city bombing was not the only time the government negatively affected people.
- Explains that the nsa violated the privacy protections of americans between 2006 and 2009 by failing to meet a court-ordered standard for its phone data collection program.
- Opines that we need a system of checks and balances to ensure that the government does not abuse its power to gather private information of americans for the purpose of keeping us safe.
- Opines that oklahomaans gather to remember victims of 1995 oklahoma city bombing.
- Explains that joannaunderhill, william, "what price security?" newsweek 138.14 (2001): 58. mas ultra - school edition.
- Explains glanz, james, larson, jeff, and lehren, andrew w. spy agencies tap data streaming from phone apps.
- Opines that the nsa will exploit the heartbleed bug for intelligence for years.
- Narrates times-news, the (twin falls, id) 21 june 2013: newspaper source plus.
1407 wordsRead More - The Patriot Act Abuses Civil Libertiesanalytical essay"The American people are beginning to realize that this piece of legislation poses a threat to our God-given freedoms protected by the U.S. Constitution."
In this essay, the author
- Describes the evidence mcmanus gives for claiming that the patriot act was rushed through congress.
- Analyzes how john f. mcmanus claims that the usa patriot act gives the president authority and powers that are not limited to the pursuit of terrorists.
- Explains why president george w. bush believes the patriot act needs to be renewed. the act's full name is "uniting and strengthening america by providing appropriate tools required to intercept and obstruct terror
- Opines that the federal government should have responded to 9/11 treachery, but the americans are beginning to realize that this piece of legislation poses a threat to our god-given freedoms protected by the u.s. constitution.
- Argues that the usa patriot act is radical in its design. it sacrifices our political freedoms in the name of national security and upsets democratic values.
- Explains how the government took extraordinary measures to suppress unpopular political views or arrest those suspected of being disloyal to the us.
1584 wordsRead More - Changes In Homeland Securityexplanatory essayAmerica is known for its domestic and foreign security, but the attacks on the twin towers and the pentagon left the United States with no option other than to increase defense and protection. Many people believe the recent increase in surveillance is invasive and goes against the people’s Fourth Amendment rights, but taking extra precautions regarding US citizens has greatly benefitted their protection. The USA patriot act, a result of the attacks on American soil, has helped defend against ongoing and future terrorist attacks. Homeland security was also created and as played a major role in the fight against terrorism. The new changes in security has affected airports, technology, and people directly.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the attacks on the twin towers and the pentagon left the united states with no option other than to increase defense and protection.
- Describes the usa patriot act as an acronym for "uniting and strengthening america by providing appropriate tools required to intercept and obstruct terrorism act".
351 wordsRead More - The Homeland Security Actanalytical essayThe Homeland Security Act of 2002 impacted the American people without many of them realizing it. The act called for increased monitoring of computer networks, phone lines, and online history inside the United States and allowed the government to deport suspects (ACLU). What was created by the act has snaked its way into all aspects of our lives, creating a sense of order and restricting some freedom. However, some say that this imposition into our daily lives limits our freedoms and actions allowed us by the Constitution. Many interest groups voice strong resentment for the act while others try to demonstrate the strengths and triumphs of the Homeland Security Act. This paper will show the differing viewpoints of those that feel that the act has increased order and those that feel it has not done what it was intended to do.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the homeland security act of 2002 impacted the american people without many of them realizing it.
- States that the homeland security act was created in 2002 to improve coordination among the security related bureaucracies after september 11th.
- Argues that the homeland security act has some faults that lead to what some perceive as constitutional infringements.
- Opines that the homeland security act is necessary to maintain order even at the cost of freedom.
- Argues that the homeland security act overextended itself and must be cut back to allow for more freedom, while others disagree arguing that it is necessary for our survival as a nation.
- Analyzes how the american civil liberties union sued dhs over laptop searches. the aclu gave pentagon information on anti-war student groups in california.
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