Patriot Act? Right or Wrong?

[d2n]

http://www.lifeandliberty.gov/highlights.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_PATRIOT_Act

Please read both of these sources before posting. It basically allows the government to investigate anything they wish. They can tap your telephone, track your car, anything. This was instated after September 11 to act as a defense against possible terrorist. What do you think? It may or not affect you, but has this act gone too far? Is America the Land of the Free

[tf_arl_90]

"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Ben Franklin

:)

[ficti0n]

I know very little about it and I'm not American either but it does seem like a breach of human rights and freedoms, which the Western world does seem to be promoting a lot lately.

[Torn Apart]

I was under the impression that they only used this on people they had reason to think that they were planning to commite a terrorist act.

[tf_arl_90]

I was under the impression that they only used this on people they had reason to think that they were planning to commite a terrorist act.

They say it's only meant for the "bad guys." But how do you think they find out who the "bad guys" are? http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o87/arl_90/shocked.gif

[Torn Apart]

They say it's only meant for the "bad guys." But how do you think they find out who the "bad guys" are? http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o87/arl_90/shocked.gif



Reasonable deception? Idk, there are other ways of gathering information other than monitoring the phone lines and emails or whatever.

[tf_arl_90]

I don't really trust the government to not abuse expansive powers and only target the people they say it's for. I think when you target stereotypes and huge groups of people, innocent people will be caught up in it (think of FDR and the Japanese internment camps, all those people were said to be suspected threats too).

It's allowed American citizens to be locked up indefinitely with no charge, no lawyer, no trial, and all the President has to do is call you an "enemy combatant." We are innocent until proven guilty, not guilty until proven innocent. We have due process rights and we have a right to privacy. It's in the Constitution.

[d2n]

This is why I think it is wrong! The Government is blaming everything on terrorists and they can do whatever they want.

take a look at around the 2:00 minute mark into the clip.

http://break.com/index/dumb-woman-cop-busted.html

[tf_arl_90]

This is why I think it is wrong! The Government is blaming everything on terrorists and they can do whatever they want.

take a look at around the 2:00 minute mark into the clip.

http://break.com/index/dumb-woman-cop-busted.html

Fair point - I agree that the government often hides behind the cover of national security.

...but out of ALL the stories you could use as an example of this, you choose a crazy ex-NYPD officer and another officer who's parked next to a hydrant? Big deal lol

[marcus520]

I think thats wrong unless you commit an actual crime they shouldnt be able to do that, just since they suspect you

[nickgs]

its all a bit too vague in my oppinion they want all the rules to be loose so they can do what they want. what about guantanamo bay thats a blatant breach of basic human rights. the Americans dont seem to care about the worlds view of them its all about "God" and "richousness" for the govornment of the US to have that much power and that much blind faith is a dangerous mix

[tf_arl_90]

its all a bit too vague in my oppinion they want all the rules to be loose so they can do what they want. what about guantanamo bay thats a blatant breach of basic human rights. the Americans dont seem to care about the worlds view of them its all about "God" and "richousness" for the govornment of the US to have that much power and that much blind faith is a dangerous mix

Which Americans don't care?

[Deathturtle]

With everything America has been through with 9/11 and everything do you not think it's right for the government to want to protect it's citizens? I think it's probably another one of those Bush tactics, it's heavy handed, but it makes sense, some smarter president could probably change it around a bit and make it perfect, but i think it's probably the best thing he's done since being in office.