Problems of Knowledge with the PATRIOT Act.

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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. 
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  • Can this be proven?

Defending the Patriot Act:

  • John Ashcroft points to the Decleration of Independence as his justification for the PATRIOT Act:
  • “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal that they are endowed by their Greater with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted…”

The Controversy: OPPOSITION

  • Why not to support the Patriot Act does (according to the opposition):
  • "A true patriot does not trash the First Amendment," said political commentator Don Rose. "A true patriot ...

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