Chris+Groves

For my unit 3 essay, I plan to discuss the argument of the US Patriot Act and its ramifications on the citizens of the United States. Ever since the Patriot Act was amended, people speculated whether it infringed on the rights of the people. The Patriot Act allowed the Justice Department and the FBI and NSA to search people that they thought were threats to society. The Patriot Act let their workers oversee private records, wire tap phone calls, and also read emails. Then based on this information they could make unwarranted raids on house or business that deemed suspicious without a judges signature. This allowed the government unprecedented access into the lives of US citizens. Some saw this as going too far into the lives of the citizens of the US. The ACLU was a staunch opponent of these laws, stating that they went too far. Basic public lives were infringed upon and the Bill of Rights was put into question. In the tumultuous times after 9/11, they believed that even though we needed security, the laws that this country was based upon should not be infringed upon. They believe that the basic laws needed to still be protected and the government should not get too involved with its people. The government shouldn’t listen to phone calls or read e-mails just for basic security. The issue of power also comes into to play also. How much power should the government have over its people? Should the government say that security is the main issue and move aside the civil liberties of its people. It was a basic power stuggle between laws and security. The legislation passed these laws with ease soely because it was after 9/11 and something needed to be done. As time passed though, representative and citizens alike questioned who was really being looked at under this amendment. Citizens with no affiliation to terrorist organizations were being questioned just for maybe one thing about their lives. People were challenging whether their governemt was truthful over what they were doing and constant suspicion was put over the Bush adminstration. These Patriot Acts called into question what the President had his intelligence agencies were really doing. Were they really just looking for terrorists or were they listening into other peoples lives? Amari: I think this is a very interesting topic for you to write your paper on. You mentioned the ACLU being an opponent to the Patriot Act, How are you going to further develop this to show their viewpoints? What exactly don't they agree with and what have they been doing show that they do not agree with this law. Are they actively working against this law? Are there any other groups battling against or with them or even other groups with other viewpoints on why they think it's good for the country?

Terry: What sources do you plan to use that can support your topic? I think you should also use sources that come from people who witnessed or had it happen to them. What is ur take on the law and should it be allowed? who is the law helping and hurting in ur eyes?st

Stephanie DiPrima- you might wanan talk about how there were both sides, some saw it as going too far into peoples privacy but then you can say if the people have nothing to hide then why can't the government do this? Why exactly is this being done if the US citizens aren't the ones causing the trouble, it's the outsiders from other countries.