Homeland Security: The Patriot Act

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The Patriot Act has been under scrutiny and opposition since its creation following 9/11. When 9/11 struck it was clear that Americas intelligence was lacking in some specific way, but it was translated that America needed greater allowance for gathering information. The Patriot Act was signed on October 26, 2001, very close to 9/11. It can be concluded that the Patriot Act was signed with such extreme ability’s applied, because of how close it was signed after 9/11. The Act Greatly expands the liberty’s if law enforcement in their efforts to gather information, which in turn imposes on the privacy of the American people. The FBI has the ability to study any citizen suspected of terrorism, and has access to all their information. Wire Taps and other invasive action are allowed and granted by the Patriot Act. Was the Patriot Act signed to quickly? Are its measures to extreme? When is the line drawn on how much power the government can have? Is the Patriot Act effective enough that it is necessary? Should we as Americans willing to trade freedom for safety? Can the Patriot Act effectively stop or hinder terrorist attacks; has its stopped enough attacks to be validated? Another question is does America want a government that has that much power, how much are we as Americans willing to sacrifice, and how much more liberty’s is the government going take. If the government can pass the patriot act, what other legislation can they pass? In reality it all comes down to the American people, we are democracy but do we have the power in are hands? When finding all these questions one asks do we need an act that is in fact this controversial? Is the Patriot Act a necessary evil? To find this answer we have to answer all the questio... ... middle of paper ... ...some their civil liberty being eroded, the results of a America without the Patriot Act could have been catastrophic. Those who disagree with the Patriot Act can make a difference by pushing for congress to keep the Patriot Act balanced, and by pushing for the more intrusive aspects of the Patriot Act checked from further invasion. Works Cited (O'BEIRNE, KATE. "Congress's Patriotic Act: This is a law that defends America and, yes, preserves civil liberties, dammit." National Review 15 Sept. 2003. War and Terrorism Collection. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.) (Source Citation (MLA 7th Edition) "Groups transcend politics in opposing 'most extreme' Patriot Act provisions." Emergency Preparedness News 5 Apr. 2005: 53. General OneFile. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.) (Homeland Security, Introductions Principles and Practice, Pages 83-85)

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