The patriot act Essay -- essays research papers

The Patriot ActThe Patriot Act is a placard that was passed in the wake of 9/11/01. Not even two months after the horrific event which we all know as 911, the billhook was passed with great haste and secrecy. The bill was passed on October 26, 2001. The bill was passed to raise the security of the country. Sadly many speculate that most of the members in congress did not even read the 342 page bill. Within a thing of days the executive branch with its new powers began to initiate many new executive orders, policies, regulations and practices that many feel threaten our rights.The bill has expanded terrorism laws to entangle domestic terrorism which subjects political organizations to be surveillance, wiretapping, harassment, and criminal charges for political advocacy. Many feel that this is an attack on the first amendment, which is freedom of religion, speech, assembly and freedom of the press. The bill has also expanded the powers of law enforcement agencies(police, FBI, CIA, NSA). Law enforcement agents now have the ability to conduct secret searches, place telephone and internet surveillance, and can access individualized medical, financial, and student records with minimal judicial oversight. Many feel that this is an attack on the fourth am...