Patriot Act Pros And Cons

Words: 2006
Pages: 9

America, the land of the free and the home of the brave, we are pioneers and trailblazers, we fight for freedom, we transform our dreams into the truth, our struggles have become a nation, and ultimately it does not matter what each individual stands for but that the nation will stand together. Forty five days just after the September 11th terrorism attack, Congress passes the USA PATRIOT Act. “Freedom itself was attacked this morning and freedom will be defended,” George W. Bush says as he addresses the nation on September 11, 2001. The Patriot Act, also known as the “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism” Act. When creating the Patriot act its primary intention was …show more content…
American printer and publisher, author, inventor, scientist,and diplomat, Benjamin Franklin states “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety…Those Who Sacrifice Liberty For Security Deserve Neither.” Franklin’s words ring even more truth surrounding the conflict. Although many who oppose abandoning the Patriot Act will disagree, as one may look back in history during the 1700s when American colonist abandoned their ties with Britain; they did this with the intention of seeking a new independent nation. Due to this break in ties American citizens have become fully fond and have cherished their rights of of Freedom and free speech (United States). George W. Bush being at the time of 9/11 was in Sarasota, Florida during the time of the attack on the nation. As the president boarded Air Force 1 all planes were commanded to be lowered unto the ground as the Bush administration set out to protect the leader of the free world. Just forty fives days after the Patriot act was being passed and President Bush’s approval rating increased from 54 percent to a high 86 percent (Ruggles.) Although many knew that the Patriot act would be considerably “unpatriotic” that did not stop congress from passing it. hen the House of Representatives sent the Patriot Act to the Senate, it …show more content…
However, section 505 also include those who are not terrorist, saying that the FBI can use NSLs to access convicted terrorist and non convicted terrorist, which are your average every day people, to spy on (“controversial”). The huge controversy about this is that a an NSL is easier to obtain than a subpoena. The difference between the two are NSLs do not have to be authorized by a judge like normal subpoenas. This gives the FBI a way to collect information illegally on citizen which is an obvious violation of the fourth amendment. Many opposers will argue that section 505 is a beneficial tool to gather information upon all criminals. The problem is not only does section 505 violate the four amendment right it also violates the 5th amendment right, which states no person should be “. . . deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law . . .” by allowing for the FBI to makes it way around ordered subpoena procedure making it much easier to obtain information. NSLs can be used to obtain a plethora of information from a variety of different circumstances. NSLs are becoming taken advantage of and are very serious ways to obtain information not only on criminals but on also on every day