Outside Evaluation: The Patriot Act

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On September 11, 2001, America's false sense of security was dealt an unimaginable blow from terrorists that hijacked American planes, then used them in the single most horrific event in modern US time. If we have learned anything from these ungodly acts, it is that America is very resilient. A little over a month after the September 11 attacks, congress passed a provision that, former President George W. Bush, signed into law. This law is called the USA Patriot Act. The purpose of this law was to ensure that future attacks initiated on US soil, would be avoided. Many citizens have mixed emotions concerning this law, due to the fact that it reduced the restrictions imposed on law enforcement agencies to gather intelligence. While many Americans believe the law violates our rights under the constitution, many others believe it is necessary to avoid terrorism from striking America again. It is the responsibility of a government to protect its citizens at all costs. Privacy of the American people should remain intact, it is not asking too much to give a slice of privacy in order to save many citizens lives.

September 11, 2001 is a day that the world will never forget. It was the day that marked the single most defiant act of terrorism in the United States to date. That Tuesday morning had begun just like any other day. The sun was shining brightly, the weather was fairly warm for an autumn day, and Americans went about their work week as usual. While many of us were already at work or school, nineteen Al-Qaeda supported hijackers were making their way through airport security. Many of these same terrorists had been on the FBI and CIA watch lists for several months, but somehow on this day, they were overlooked. At 8...

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...nburgh 2005). Therefore, this provision should not be looked upon as governmental control, this law is just a tiny piece of the puzzle in order to combat terrorism in America, as well as, world wide.

Works Cited

Bader, E.J. (2002). Silencing Political Dissent: How Post-September 11 Anti-Terrorism Measures Threaten Our Civil Liberties. The Progressive. Proquest. Vol. 66, Iss. 12; P. 44

Foster, A.L. (2006). Vote to Extend Patriot Act Also Extends Bitter Debate Over Proposals to Change It. The Chronicle. Proquest Central.

Lobel, J. (2004). Winning Lost Causes. Chronicle of Higher Education. Pittsburgh, PA. The Chronicle. Proquest Central.

Taylor, P. (2005). Anti-Terrorism Measures and Civil Liberties. London, UK. The Times. Proquest Central.

Point, D.L. Debating the USA Patriot Act. http://www.sheldensays.com/debating_the_usa_patriot_act.htm#_edn1

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