Patriot Act Essay -- Politics Foreign Affairs Safety Terrorism Essays

Patriot Act "We're dealing with terrorists who operate by highly sophisticated methods and technologies, some of which were not even available when our existing laws were written. The bill before me accounts for the new realities and dangers posed by modern terrorists. It will help law enforcement to identify, dismantle, disrupt, and punish terrorists before they strike," (President George W. Bush at signing of Patriot Act, 2001). The terrorists of today cannot be reasoned with. We must do whatever necessary to ensure that there never will be another September 11th. Since the enactment of the Patriot Act, there have not been any major acts of terrorism committed on U.S. soil. If the Act had been established earlier, perhaps the tragedy of September 11th would have been prevented. The Patriot Act has applied common sense knowledge and resources to law enforcement, making it easier for them to seize terrorists before they strike. The Patriot Act, however, has stirred up controversies amongst those who believe it to be a violation of our civil liberties. The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) argues that the Patriot Act not only fails to make us a safer nation, but also a less free one. They believe that it does not uphold our fundamental rights and freedoms. They want Congress to limit the sharing of information through wiretapping between the government, so as to preserve their privacy. The ACLU also believes the F.B.I., has been given too long a leash, that the Patriot Act has overstepped its boundaries. The ACLU has issued eighteen sheets, written dozens of letters to Congress and the Bush administration, and made hundreds of TV and radio appearances, calling on Congress to "defend the fundamental rights and freedoms that distinguish us from repressive societies in other parts of the world." The Patriot Act, however, violates none of these liberties and is a key source in protecting our freedom. If we do not fight back against terrorists who want to take over this land, we will be no different from other repressed societies. It is our determination and strength that has set us apart from the rest of the world. The attack on September 11th stirred up a desire in Americans to want to protect and defend this nation. The Patriot Act is a tool for defending our fundamental rights and freedoms from and enemy who will show no mercy. Terrorists are e... ...make the provisions of the Patriot Act more permanent and secure. We have let the terrorists go far beyond our reach. They are now embedded into all sections of our cultures. We can trust no one and must do whatever necessary to ensure that there will never be another event like September 11th. The actions we take today will affect who we are tomorrow. What we so now will form the future of this nation. The religion of the terrorists is to destroy Americans for a greater reward in their heaven. They are relentless and will stop at nothing. We, therefore, must always be vigilant and on guard, and support the Patriot Act. The Patriot Act lets us rest assured that future generations will live in a safe and free world. Works Cited: ACLU of Northern California. (Online) Available http://www.aclunc.org. February 23,2003 National ACLU. (Online) Available http://aclu.org/Files/openFile.cfm?id+10897, December 17,2002. President Bush's remarks on signing USA-Patriot Act. (Online) Available www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/10/20011026-5.html, December, 2001. U.S Department of Justice. (Online) Available www.usdoj.lifeandliberty.gov/subs/q_support.htm, October 25,2001