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The Patriot Act - Right tool for fighting terrorism or unnecessary repeal of civil liberties?by Robert ParkerResponse to 9/11President Bush signed the USA Patriot Act (PATRIOT) into law on October 26, 2001, two weeks after the attack of September 11th.
Objections to sweeping measuresAlthough recognition of the necessity of increased security measures to combat terrorism was immediate on the part of the public, so too was opposition to the sweeping measures of PATRIOT. A partial list of measures objected to includes now-legal monitoring of online activities, nationwide roving wiretaps, possible prosecution of legitimate protest activity, and expansion of data bases containing previously inaccessible private information, including even by foreign intelligence services.
Bypassing the rulesCritics also argue that PATRIOT circumvented the normal system of checks and balances by which legislation is supposed to be created in our government, instead coming about through Executive Order and the acquiescence of Congress. The Justice Department, however, argues that PATRIOT was needed to shore up our porous homeland security in a time of great danger, and that none of its provisions violate any civil or constitutional rights.
Expiration of some provisionsMany surveillance provisions of PATRIOT are set to expire in December of 2005, unless renewed by Congress.
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