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Patriot Act

Decent Essays

Often our nation sees as a symbol of freedom to the world; however, since the events of 9/11 the U.S congress signed into law the U.S Patriot Act. This legislation extends the power of the government by strengthening its oversight authority over the nation, claiming war on terrorism and protection of national security against any potential threats. As an American citizen, I agree with some of the terms and measures adopted under the Patriot Act in which the government needs to intercept, obstruct, and monitor terrorism actions keeping us safe from potential attacks. However, the acts fails to secure American liberties, rather it facilitates and encourages the government to be authoritative on the pretext of the idea of national security, assuming …show more content…

The act authorizes federal and local government agencies to unethical and unconstitutional investigations, surveillance, and exchange of information on every American citizen. Undoubtedly, this action violates explicitly the Fourth Amendment, as consequence our privacy has been compromised since then. The U.S government can normally spying on its own people and conduct secret investigations, warrantless searches, and indefinite detentions based solely on their beliefs. Every time a US citizen picks or make a phone call forces to pause regarding whether if we have been listening by the National security agency (NSA), which at the same time infringing our freedom of expression guarantee by the First Amendment. Under this unprecedented surveillance program, the government agencies have the ability and capacity to build an enormous range of database with information on every American affiliation and associations with others, even if we are not related or involved in any terrorism activities or connections whatsoever. Moreover, government agencies are forced multiples businesses and organizations like internet and phone providers, universities, airliners, employers, and medical facilities, etc. to turn over their client’s …show more content…

Undoubtedly and clearly the Patriot Act reaches the First Amendment, which is a constitutionally protected right and a maximum definition of our patriotism. As a result it is reflected in what we can say, express or thought making us carefully limit the use and meaning of our words, because free speech terms can be associated against federal law aimed to combat terrorism organizations, accusing the protesters to participate in civil disobedience, even though the First Amendment is a non-violent form of expression opposing a totalitarian regime and characteristics of a state monopoly. The Patriot Act protects and shields the government with absolute authority and power to intimidate or coerce the way how law-abiding American citizens express, or participating in a peaceful and legal protest activities, even when all requirements are fallow and permits in public places such as streets, sidewalks, or any public area. Traditional public forums (protest) should not be an excuse for the government to

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