Problems of Knowledge with the PATRIOT Act
What is the PATRIOT Act?
- After the attack of September 11, 2001, Congress in its wisdom determined the need to revise and create laws that better enable law enforcement to track and intercept communications of those who would do America harm (namely, the PATRIOT Act)
What is the USA PATRIOT Act:
- USA Patriot is an acronym for "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism"
What the PATRIOT Act Does:
- It breaks the political backs of the judiciary and legislative branches of government.
- It allows random arrests and detention without hearings or trials for anyone or any group designated by the President. Retroactive Prosecution, too!
- It allows the concealment of Presidential records.
- It permits secret "Military Tribunals" for presidential-designated "terrorists".
- It legalizes "sneak-n-peek" searches and seizures.
- It allows the unlawful infiltration and surveillance of legal, domestic religious, labor and political organizations.
- It allows the wholesale surveillance of private citizens, private business records and other materials without proof of probable cause.
- It destroys all e-mail and internet privacy.
The Opposition’s Pride
- The Department of Justice’s first priority is to prevent future terrorist attacks. Since its passage following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Patriot Act has played a key part - and often the leading role - in a number of successful operations to protect innocent Americans from the deadly plans of terrorists dedicated to destroying America and our way of life.