US Patriot Act

4 Pages 965 Words

Introduction
In doing research on the USA PATRIOT Act I have come to realize that there are several different opinions about the benefits it will bring to aide us in fighting terrorism. Along with the belief that the USA PATRIOT Act is a necessity there are others that think it is just one more tool that the government will use to invade the publics privacy. I will be identifying three advantages or positive consequences of the Act, three disadvantages or negative consequences of the Act, and my own personal opinion of the Act.
Advantages
In my research I was able to find information from the Internet that shows support of the USA PATRIOT Act. I will begin with Attorney General John Ashcroft. Attorney General John Ashcroft launched another defense of the USA Patriot Act on Tuesday, echoing President Bush's claims that the law that gave federal agents more latitude to spy on U.S. citizens and foreigners has made Americans safer (Toni Locy, 2004, Internet) He further stated, the report provides mountains of evidence that the Patriot Act continues to save lives (2004).
The Patriot Act defends our liberty; it's essential law. President Bush (2004) said at a convention of township supervisors and emergency service personnel. He feels it is necessary to prevent future attacks.
Bush (2004) said the legislation should be expanded to allow subpoenas in terrorism cases to be issued without approval of a judge or grand jury, to allow terror suspects to be held without bail and to make sabotage of defense or nuclear facilities that results in loss of life punishable by death.

Former Attorney General Janet Reno (2004) told the 9/11 Commission, Generally everything that's been done in the Patriot Act has been helpful, I think, while at the same time maintaining the balance with respect to civil liberties.
I found that most supporters of the USA PATRIOT Act are now or were previously government officials. I was unable to loca...