Premium Essay

Patriot Act Pros And Cons

Submitted By
Words 1219
Pages 5
Meet Jack Benjamin. He lives at 246 Maple Road, Springfield. He is a 24 year old, single white male who recently graduated from the University of Washington and is currently working as a Costco manager. He goes to Starbucks at least three times a week, always ordering a tall non-fat mocha. His top locations within the past year are QFC, Starbucks, Costco, and a private home registered under the name of Mary Smith. He left her house at 3:54 am on 3/28/13… is she a lover? But what about the other woman that frequently visits his private home, Lila Walker? This information only touches the surface of what the government has access to (ACLU).
Every single day, people’s privacy is invaded. People unknowingly give up part of their privacy in order …show more content…
The Patriot Act was created to diminish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world by enhancing law enforcement investigatory tools. This act helps law officials easily obtain subpoenas for access to information records. The government is wrongly suspecting everyone of being involved in terrorist activity. However, this act contradicts the 4th Amendment of the US Constitution, which states that everyone has a right to secure their own property against unreasonable searches and seizures, defined by a lack of probable cause and warrant. The Patriot Act allows officials to bypass warrants when obtaining information, violating every citizen’s constitutional right to privacy. Since the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, the Patriot Act: Section 215 was updated in hopes of decreasing terrorism by strengthening domestic security and expanding the powers of the bureaucratic agencies. This act give the government too much power and threatens civil liberties of its people. Section 215 allows agencies to conduct surveillance by intercepting, sharing, and using electronic communications for criminal investigations without consent (Patriot Act). These procedures are set forth in hopes of intercepting on foreign powers and communications related to terrorist activity. This act violates the rights set forth in Constitution. Although the U.S. Constitution contains …show more content…
in hopes of discovering or decoding terrorist threats. Not only is this program illegal under the 4th Amendment, but it has “not identified a single instance involving a threat to the United States in which the program made a concrete difference in the outcome of a counterterrorism investigation” (Parvini). By cutting funding to this program, Americans gain part of their privacy in return and the money can then be used to fund programs that are actually successful in protecting the country. Creating policy that states that law enforcements agencies cannot store data about innocent people for any lengthy period, unless that information has be flagged or considered harmful to others, will allow Americans to retain their privacy. National Security is important to a thriving country, like the United States, and should not be removed as a whole, but instead, by removing the unconstitutional programs and redirecting national security, the government will better maintain a balance between civil liberties and overall security of the country. Changing the way the government handles surveillance issues allows for more constitutional policies to be set in place and ensure the dignity and value of each

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

The Pros And Cons Of The Patriot Act

...security diverged and each suddenly became opposed to the other in the form of the Patriot Act. A terrorist attack on the Twin Towers resulted in the deaths of thousands of people. This tragedy caused fast reactions that were not necessarily thought through, such as the Patriot Act in an attempt to combat the issue of terrorism. The Patriot Act gives the government to power to survey every phone call, the content, length, and date. It was intended for the interception...

Words: 919 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

The Pros And Cons Of The Patriot Act

...Saddam Hussein, and an overhaul of our national security. Americans felt unsafe as a result of 2000-plus civilians who perished that day, and demanded something be done to root out the terrorists and foil the plots before any more damage could be done. This led to the creation of the PATRIOT Act, a bill of great controversy 14 years after its inception. Whether the bill itself had a positive or negative impact on the country is still a topic of great debate to this day. The PATRIOT Act enabled the government to conduct roving wiretaps, search business records for immigrants marked as a suspect for terrorism, and removed many legal...

Words: 719 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Patriot Act Pros And Cons

...After being asked to make a decision on the important vote that we've been asked to take part in, I've carefully scoured the details of both sides and have made a final decision. The vote will determine the outcome of the Patriot Act. The patriot act is the government's program for monitoring our digital habits, and hopefully finding and stopping terrorists. The United States Public has a very torn opinion of the Patriot act. And if we were to vote for what we believe is best for the public, I think we should vote in favor of the Patriot Act, and I'll explain why. Firstly, I'll start with the side of the argument that disagrees with the Patriot Act. I can understand what points are being made by this side, but I see no inherent issue with...

Words: 435 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Patriot Act Pros And Cons

...The U.S. Patriot Act, which was passed by congress and signed into law by president George W. Bush in 2001, has had a profound, enduring effect on the lives, safety, and privacy of all Americans. Moreover, the law expanded the government’s capability to procure information and exert surveillance. I believe the greatest impact the U.S. PATRIOT Act had on the civil liberties of Americans is its authorization that allowed government to monitor and log phone calls, internet usage, medical records, and other personal information—all of which can be found in section 215 of the U.S. PATRIOT Act—also as impactful, however, is the act’s approval of searches on suspected terrorists that allowed law enforcement to circumvent the fourth amendment—found in section 218 of the U.S. PATRIOT Act. These two provisions...

Words: 586 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Patriot Act Pros And Cons

...The Patriot Act was signed and passed on october 26, 2001 by president George W Bush. The USA patriot act stands for “uniting and strengthening america by providing appropriate tools required to intercept and obstruct terrorism act of 2001.” The Patriot Act is a U.S law that was passed just after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Its goals were to strengthen domestic security and broaden the powers of law-enforcement agencies with regards to identifying and stopping terrorists. This act is divided into 10 basic parts. Part one states the protection of civil liberties and authorizes the secret service to create a nationwide crime task force. It also gives the president the authority to confiscate the property of any person who is believed to have aided in a war or attack on the United States. Part two broadens the...

Words: 494 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

The Patriot Act: Pros And Cons

...World Trade Center in New York City, Congress passed the USA PATRIOT Act, also known as the “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism” Act, or the Patriot Act. The Patriot Act was created with the intention of finding and indicting international terrorists performing on American soil; however, the adverse ramifications of the Act have been dire. Many of the Patriot Act’s virtues are in violation of the U.S. Constitution, a document outlined in order to protect American rights and freedoms. The Patriot Act infringes on the First Amendment rights, which is protects the of freedom of speech,...

Words: 770 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Pros And Cons Of The Patriot Act

...The Patriot Act, the Two Arguments On September 11, 2001, the United States suffered its most devastating terrorist attack ever. Nearly 3000 lives were lost in the synchronized assaults on the Pentagon, New York City World Trade Center, and a downed plane in the fields of Pennsylvania. In response, Congress enacted The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, and signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 26, 2001. Commonly known as The Patriot Act, it was meant to provide justice to an emotional nation. Its significance lays in expanding the definition of terrorism, and affords government agencies and law enforcement the tools they need to combat terrorism wherever it may be. The Act proved to be a controversial from its early stages. It immediately raised questions with several U.S. congressional representatives, notably Senator Russ Feingold, the single opposing vote in the senate. As more legal implications of the provisions in the Patriot Act became...

Words: 688 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Patriot Act Pros And Cons

...Some say the more the United States of America controls the more secure it would be, yet others dispute and say it's too overwhelming and over controlling.In September 11, 2001 terrorists struck and people in America accted upon the threat and soon The USA Patriot Act was established.This act emerged and became prominent with the ideal of protecting and safeguarding its nation even if it costed its peoples privacy.Not enough with takeing such measures they took many innocent people into the Guatanamo Bay Prison where they werent treated properly.Freedom and security are vital for conserveing our nations intrests.The United States being the super-power of the world wouldnt permit or tolerate any global threats or provocations regardless if it costed or invaded peoples rights and seclusion.A major inccident occured that marked history in America and its people....

Words: 497 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Usa Patriot Act Pros And Cons

...The USA Patriot Act also known as the (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001) was a law signed by President at the time George W. Bush. The basis of this act was rushed into Congress after the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Centers in New York City. In 2011 President Obama renewed the Patriot Act while granting a four year extension on four main parts of the USA Patriot Act. The basis of the Patriot Act is to conduct wiretaps, searches of business records, and conducting lone wolf surveillance on individuals suspected to be committing terroristic activities on United States soil. As recent as this year the Patriot Act came back into the news after...

Words: 432 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Usa Patriot Act Pros And Cons

...USA Patriot Act is an acronym for the official title, “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism.” On October 26, 2001 George W. Bush signed the USA Patriot Act, an act passed in response to the September 11th attack of the Pentagon and World Trade Center. USA Patriot Act bears ten sections and/or titles. The purpose of the USA Patriot Act is to deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world. The act enhanced the law enforcement investigatory tools and resources. “The law was intended, in Bush’s words, to “enhance the penalties that will fall on terrorists or anyone who helps them.” (Staff, 2009) Even though, the act increased intelligence agencies...

Words: 1485 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Lost in the Matrix

...Abstract Technological advances have affected the definition of the right to privacy more than any other right provided for under the Constitution. Technological advances have triggered many privacy right cases imputing infringement of Fourth Amendment rights. Many of these types of privacy infringement cases involve, among others, wire-tapping, internet-tapping and other cyber crimes. The Fourth Amendment essentially protects the privacy of individuals from unwarranted govermental intrusion. This paper compares and contrast public safety versus civil rights issues based on the impact of technological advances on individual privacy rights. Lost in the Matrix Introduction Technological advances have created ground-breaking ways in which individual privacy can be infringed upon. These innovative technological advances have, among other novel affects, increased the ability to gather and share information. This increased ability has nearly made it impossible to retain privacy. Database systems have become so advanced that much more information can be stored on these databases worldwide leaving individuals with no method of knowing or controlling what type of information about themselves are being accessed. Information privacy has become a major privacy rights issue in the criminal justice system. This paper compares and contrast public safety versus civil rights issues based on the impact of technological advances on individual privacy rights. Privacy Rights Laws ...

Words: 1027 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Usa Patriot Act

...The USA PATRIOT ACT, commonly known as the Patriot Act, is an acronym for Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate tools required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001. On October 23, 2001, Republican Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner introduced H.R. 3162 incorporating provisions from a previously sponsored House bill and a Senate bill also introduced earlier in the month. The next day on October 24, 2001, the Act passed the House 357 to 66, with Democrats comprising the overwhelming portion of dissent. The following day on October 25, 2001, the Act passed the Senate by 98 to 1, with Russ Feingold the only opposition. This act was signed then into law by former president George W. Bush on October 26, 2011, just six weeks after the September 11th attacks to the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. This act reduced restrictions in law enforcement agencies’ gathering of intelligence with the U.S. The act also expanded the definition of terrorism to include domestic terrorism. The Patriot Act made many changes to U.S. law, such as the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA), the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 (ECPA), the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986 and Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), as well as the Immigration and Nationality Act. It was strongly opposed by Senator, Russ Feingold; he was the only Senator to vote against the bill. The final Act had a number of sunsets that was supposed to expire on December 15, 2005. On May 26, 2011, President...

Words: 2019 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Usa Patriot Act

...The USA PATRIOT ACT, commonly known as the Patriot Act, is an acronym for Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate tools required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001. On October 23, 2001, Republican Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner introduced H.R. 3162 incorporating provisions from a previously sponsored House bill and a Senate bill also introduced earlier in the month. The next day on October 24, 2001, the Act passed the House 357 to 66, with Democrats comprising the overwhelming portion of dissent. The following day on October 25, 2001, the Act passed the Senate by 98 to 1, with Russ Feingold the only opposition. This act was signed then into law by former president George W. Bush on October 26, 2011, just six weeks after the September 11th attacks to the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. This act reduced restrictions in law enforcement agencies’ gathering of intelligence with the U.S. The act also expanded the definition of terrorism to include domestic terrorism. The Patriot Act made many changes to U.S. law, such as the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA), the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 (ECPA), the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986 and Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), as well as the Immigration and Nationality Act. It was strongly opposed by Senator, Russ Feingold; he was the only Senator to vote against the bill. The final Act had a number of sunsets that was supposed to expire on December 15, 2005. On May 26, 2011, President...

Words: 2019 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

The Patriot Act Is Unnecessary

...When one thinks about being under surveillance it brings upon an uncomfortable feeling. The Patriot Act is recording information on every single call one receives or makes. Claiming to do so for saftey reasons like preventing terrorism. However, many like ourselves disagree with it. The patriots act should be dismembered due to the insufficient evidence supporting it and unconstitutional reasoning. To emphasize, The entire process began after the horrific events that were held on September 11,2001; to prevent future terrorist attacks. But, many think that by taking record of the calls they can prevent such serious accusations. For instance Now This quoted Barack Obama, "...These programs they make a difference in our capacity to anticipate...

Words: 371 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

The Patriot Act; Agree of Disagree

...The Patriot Act: Agree or Disagree Amanda Collier ENG/215 August 27, 2012 Bruce Massis The Patriot Act: Agree or Disagree President George W. Bush signed into law on October 26, 2001 The USA PATRIOT Act. The title of the Act is a letter acronym: Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (PUBLIC LAW 107–56—OCT. 26, 2001) This Act was written to prevent and punish terrorist acts here in the United States as well as around the world, to help law officers, and to strengthen U.S. measures. Three essays have been studied on this subject, (U.S. Patriot Act – Damian Coles, and The Patriot Act: Wise beyond Its Years – John Ashcroft, and Cassady Pitt - U.S. Patriot Act and Racial profiling: Are there consequences of discrimination?) to come up with this critical argument essay. There are advantages and disadvantages of the Patriot Act. Although The Bill of Rights gives us privacy that could be invaded, is effectual for our country because this helps law enforcement have more resources and more freedom to help. Here are two disadvantages of the Patriot Act to be discussed. First racial profiling and, second America’s right to privacy under the Bill of Rights. When someone is considered a criminal or terrorist just because of how they dress, look, or the religion they practice, this is racial profiling. Racial profiling was a problem in the United States even before 9/11 and the Patriot act...

Words: 877 - Pages: 4