Is the U.S. PATRIOT Act good for America?



Table of Contents

Introduction3

Discussion4

Rationale behind Our Position4

Mitigate the Limitations of Intelligence Operations6

Allow the Collection of Information from U.S. Citizens7

Allow Searches and Surveillance without Notice7

Electronic Surveillance and Interception of Communications8

International Counter Money Laundering and Related Measures9

Conclusion9

References11

Research Paper: Is the U.S. PATRIOT Act good for America?

Introduction

The USA PATRIOT Act (acronymic the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act) was established as an anti-terrorism legislation in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 200. This was a compel law, that received little Congressional debate, and was signed into law by President Bush on Oct. 26th, 2001. The Law strengthens the domestic mechanisms of the state to carry out anti-terrorism actions, by giving extensive surveillance and search authorities to local, law enforcing and intelligence agencies (Etzioni, 2004).

In the U.S., it has significantly changed the laws interception, by extending their period of applicability and imposing constraints on their use in case of being less accurate. This law eliminated the controlling powers of the courts that previously, were responsible to oversee any deviation or misuse of force by the law-enforcers. This law was perceived to be a threat to the rights of millions of Americans. This law was an extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act established in 1978 that increased the powers to U.S. authorities such as armed forces, FBI, CIA, NSA, to obtain confidential information form relevant sources in an attempt to combat any probable terrorist activities (Foerstel, 2008).

Discussion

Rationale behind Our Position

The position supported by this research paper is that the USA PATRIOT Act is not good for America. The Act is a major step toward a totalitarian state in which individual liberty is crushed by the impulse of police and corporate leaders, camouflaged as patriots. It intrudes the privacy of millions of Americans, disturbing their lives in many forms and functions. It not only intrudes for its own interest but also poses serious concerns whether this extra-ordinary power and influence is being abused. Under this Law, civil liberty has been threatened, and it has played havoc with the privacy rights of Americans (Center for Democracy and Technology, 2007).

The law dramatically expands the ability of states and the Federal Government to conduct surveillance of American citizens. As an investigative body, the grand jury does not need probable cause or a minimum of evidence to assign someone to appear. He just needs to believe that this witness has information concerning the matter under investigation. Those subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury refusing to appear or appearing but refusing to answer questions may be found in contempt, at least to succeed in proving that they enjoy a privilege against disclosure (Lee et.al, 2004). This removes any mechanism for the accountability of the government, and does not reveal anything about the actions of the government (Lee et.al, 2004). This may, in the long-run, creates mistrust between the government and the public, where they people may not be able ...