Patriot Act example essay topic

On October 26th, 2001, United States President George W. Bush, passed the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (US Patriot) Act. The Patriot Act is a major infringement upon our fourth amendment rights. To fully understand how the Patriot Act violates one's rights as an American, one must understand the Patriot Act, the fourth amendment, and know of several events which lead to the passing of these documents as well as events occurring as a result of these documents. On the morning of September 11th, 2001, the United States of America was devastated by terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The attacks were well coordinated, carried out as planned, and was a success for those opposing the American way of life. To many, they didn't succeed because their actions resulted in a boost in the nation's sense of brotherhood and patriotism. However, others feel that their attack was a success since their actions led to the US Patriot Act, which begins to deconstruct the very values that the United States of America were founded on.

What's even more disturbing is that most American's had no idea that their rights have been taken away. (Ewing 97) Less than a week after the events of September 11th, President Bush signed the bill into law. Though the act made many changes to over 15 statutes, it was hastily passed without a house or senate report. The speed at which the bill was signed left little time for debate or discussion among other office holders. The US PATRIOT Act gives law enforcement and government agencies newfound liberties in investigation.

Search warrants are no longer needed if the accused is suspected of committing a crime that could be related to terrorism. The document itself is very vague leaving much to the imagination of authorities. The act not only allows authorities to determine if a person could be suspected to be a terrorist, but if the person is not believed to be a terrorist but suspected of crimes believed to be linked to terrorism such as drug trafficking, violent crimes, money laundering, etc. This extends power of law enforcement to search several people who were once protected by the Fourth Amendment. (web) Some other changes made by this act were the power given to authorities to conduct "sneak and peek" searches.

During such searches, authorities can enter private property without a warrant, search that property, and leave without notifying the landowner that any search has been conducted. More liberties were given to authorities in the areas of surveillance, search and seizure, and the ability to proximate a suspect by conducting surveillance measures on their friends, family, and associates. (web).