Pros and Cons of Patriot Act
The devastating events of September 11, 2001 traumatized Americans, and many innocent citizens lost their lives. Americans were so traumatized by 9/11 that they were ready to surrender their most treasured liberties. On October 26, 2001 President Bush signed a massive bill designed to combat terrorism into law. The bill passed hardly a week after the terrorist attack was passed with little debate and no formal hearings. The bill is the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism, largely known as The Patriot Act. Does this bill ask Americans to give up some of their freedoms for the sake of the country? Yes. Is it unconstitutional? This paper looks as the schools of thought surrounding the controversial Patriot Act.The USA Patriot Act was conceived by Attorney General John Ashcroft and passed through Congress under the pressure of G.W. Bush. Only one United States senator, Russell Feingold, of Wisconsin voted against the USA Patriot Act (EPIC). Feingold was quoted as saying "Preserving our freedom is one of the main reasons that we are now engaged in this new war on terrorism. We will lose that war without firing a shot if we sacrifice the liberties of the Am
The most serious provisions of the Act are directed at non-citizens. Many of the Patriot Act laws are targeted towards nationals. On February 16th CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll, 26 % of Americans said The Patriot Act goes too far in restricting civil liberties, 21% say it doesn't go far enough and 43% say its just right. The statute of limitation for prosecuting terrorist acts was lengthened, along with heightened measures against money laundering (Rosen). Americans, although almost two years after then passing of the act, are largely unfamiliar, only 13% say they are very familiar, while 46% say they are somewhat familiar and 41% say they are not familiar. Each time these events had occurred the nation vowed not to repeat them again (Dority). Despite sharp disapproval from the American Civil Liberties Union, many Americans still trust in the Attorney General to make the right decision. So is it really taking away freedoms and liberties of citizens? More threatening aspects of the act include the government being able to hold US citizens of suspected terrorism for up to 7 days without specific charges, and detaining immigrants indefinitely if labeled a threat and without proof from authorities. While many groups, such as the ACLU feel the Patriot Act goes too far in taking away Americans freedom, most Americans don't feel that. Attorney General Ashcroft's attempt to link those who uphold constitutional principles with those out to destroy the United States has gone on deaf ears (Brown). Many Americans are very unfamiliar with the Patriot Act, but most believe it is within acceptable confines of our civil liberties. This is not the first time there has been questionable acts taken against our freedoms. Currently over 13, 000 Arab and Muslim immigrants are being held in deportation proceedings and not one of them has been charged with terrorism (Truman). Men were more likely than women to say the act goes to far.
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Acceptance Essays
