PATRIOT Act

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PATRIOT act

History

The Patriot Act was quickly passed through legislation after the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11th, 2001. Although designed as an effort to protect and enhance investigations of possible terrorism actions, an ongoing debate into the moral and ethical and constitutional implications raised by certain parts of the Patriot Act have kept both fans and foes alike firmly aligned in their respective camps.

Party Positions

Republicans

The Patriot Act Encourages Information Sharing By Breaking Down The Wall Between Law Enforcement And Intelligence.

Before The Patriot Act, Criminal Investigators Were Separated From Intelligence Officers By A Legal And Bureaucratic Wall. The Patriot Act helped tear down this wall, giving law enforcement and intelligence officers the ability to share information, work together, and bring terrorists to justice. Information Sharing Has Made A Difference. Two years ago, FBI agents in Ohio confronted Iyman Faris, and he was charged with providing support to al-Qaida after he, among other things, agreed to take part in a plot to destroy a New York City bridge. The capture came after an investigation that involved more than a dozen agencies in the Southern Ohio Joint Terrorism Task Force that was made possible by the Patriot Act. According to one FBI agent, "The Faris case would not have happened without sharing information. We would never have even had the lead."

The Patriot Act Gave Law Enforcement Agents The Ability To Use Tools Against Terrorists That Are Already Available Against Other Criminals.

The Patriot Act Corrected Pointless Double Standards. Before the Patriot Act, it was easier to use a wiretap against a person committing mail fraud, or track the phone contacts of a drug dealer, or get the credit card receipts of a tax cheat, than to use these respective tools against a foreign terrorist. Roving Wiretaps Are Essential In Investigating International Terrorists. The Patriot Act extended the use of roving wiretaps, which were already permitted against drug kingpins and mob bosses, to international terrorism investigations. They must be approved by a judge. Without roving wiretaps, terrorists could elude law enforcement by simply purchasing a new cell phone.

The Patriot Act Brings The Law Into The 21st Century By Giving Law Enforcement Agents The Tools They Need To Fight New Kinds Of Crimes.

The Patriot Act Updates The Law To Meet New Threats Like Computer Espionage And Cyber Terrorism. One common-sense provision allows Internet providers, without fear of being sued, to give information to law enforcement when it would help law enforcement prevent a threat of death or serious injury.

Source

General Discussion

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Perspectives

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As a way of starting a deeper conversation around the PATRIOT Act, please post your "Perspective" below. This will give us a clear structure for looking at all the diverse and interesting perspectives we all hold. Each Perspective should be formatted as follows:

"I am _______, and I believe _______."

EXAMPLE: "I am a student, and I believe we should repeal the PATRIOT Act."

EXAMPLE: "I am a businessman, and I believe this is an important way to protect our national interests."

EXAMPLE: "I am an environmental activist, and believe this opens the door to target those engaged in non-violent resistance."

Let's keep this civil, thoughtful and friendly... and have fun!

What's YOUR perspective?

Remember to "sign" your comment with four tildes

• I am a psychology student and i believe that the Patriot Act should only be Used when the Majority of the population approves (Making the general population aware before rather than during or after) and its eaves dropping is watched/maintained by atleast two groups that would be temporarily elected : a) Those in Favor and b) Those against.

• I am a Technology student and I believe that the Patriot Act is the most privately intrusive act established in my lifetime and that it should be dismantled.

• I am a CS student, and I believe the Patriot Act is a danger to our civil liberties and sets a precedent for irresponsible government(most congresscritters did not even read it before voting on it), as well as establishing security as more important than liberty which will only serve to erode our rights in the name of the never ending war on terror.