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What
is the USA PATRIOT Act?
The
USA PATRIOT Act is an acronym that stands for Uniting and
Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required
to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism. On October 26, 2001,
40 days after terrorists took the lives of nearly 3000 innocent
civilians; President Bush signed into law The USA PATRIOT
Act.
America responded to the devastating terrorist attacks of
9/11 in many ways. Public support for President Bush's decision
to attack Afghanistan and al-Qaeda was overwhelming. The nation
came together spiritually in ways not witnessed in more than
a generation. The display of patriotism was no longer the
domain of military veterans or the politically active; rather,
it became a unified cry in defense of American values.
The Bush Administration and Attorney General John Ashcroft
argued that the USA PATRIOT Act was both justified, and essential
in combating the War on Terrorism. Co-author and Assistant
Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy Viet Dinh
stated that "security is the means by which we achieve
our fundamental freedoms." Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold,
the one dissenting vote, argued that "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 American
people."
Since
the passage of the Act debate has continued. Law enforcement
officials and the Department of Justice argue that the new
laws have protected Americans from further terrorist attacks
and the Act simply updated the laws to reflect new technologies
and new threats. Civil libertarians argue that the Act has
created a surveillance society that dangerously undermines
the Bill of Rights. A grassroots movement of citizens also
mobilized in opposition to the Act. As of April 2004, four
states and 300 cities and counties have passed resolutions
against the Act.
The
Act is over 300 pages in length and its complexity makes it
difficult to easily comprehend the changes it has set in place.
The lack of understanding surrounding the Act is reflected
in contradictory poll results from the American public. For
example, when Americans hear specific provisions of the Act,
more than 75% oppose what they believe is an intrusion of
this law into their civil liberties. Yet when asked what impact
the war on terrorism is having on their own civil liberties,
more than 55% say it is "strengthening" or having
"no impact" upon their rights. [*See www.retropoll.org].
With many of the Act's clauses due to sunset in 2005, the
USA PATRIOT Act will continue to be a subject of debate in
the upcoming presidential election.
TO
READ THE USA PATRIOT ACT IN ITS ENTIRETY VISIT:
www.epic.org/privacy/terrorism/hr3162.html
TO
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT'S POSITION ON THE ACT VISIT:
www.lifeandliberty.gov/index.html
TO
LEARN MORE ABOUT OPPOSITION TO THE ACT VISIT:
www.aclu.org
www.bordc.org
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY FILM:
The Cost of Freedom - Civil Liberties,
Security and the USA PATRIOT Act
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