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Privacy vs. National Security

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Privacy vs. National Security
Running header: PRIVACY VS. NAT. 1

Privacy vs. National Security
Steven E. Smith
ENG122 English Composition II
December 1, 2012

PRIVACY VS. NAT. 2

The scope and nature of the problem is that after September 11, 2001 the government has enhanced its surveillance procedure to a frightening level. With one policy, “The USA Patriot Act-2001,” the US government has effectively turned the United States of America into a police state. This policy gives the government run agencies the right to spy on its citizens. Agents can gather information by physically watching, or by other covert means such as wire taps. It is no longer a specific phone line but on individuals. It allows service providers to disclose information and protects them from court action when the do. It permits a delay in warrant notification, giving agents the ability to search before they have a warrant in hand. This policy gives the government the right to accuse, intimidate, and imprison its citizens of terrorism, and ignore the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights was created to protect the people from various injustices that the government could commit. The amendments that are affected the most are the 1st, 4th, and the 6th. (Asian Tribune,[Hallstavik],June 5,2012, US Patriot Act has denied Americans their freedom)
Amendment I: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of people peaceably to assemble, and petition the government for a redress of grievances.(Hamilton, A.,1775, The Bill of Rights)
The Patriot Act gives the government the freedom to monitor religious and political institutions without just cause. The government also now has the authority to prosecute any type of record keeper if they reveal that the government has



References: Asian Tribune [Hallstavik], (June 5, 2012), US Patriot Act has denied Americans their freedom, Retrieved from, http://search.proquest.com/docview/1018399742? Doyle, C., (April 19, 2008), Patriot Act: “A Sketch, Retrieved from, http://www.fas.org/irp/crs/RS21203.pdf. Hamilton, A., (1775), Bill of Rights. Retrieved from, http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcripts.htm Hentoff, N., (December 17, 2001), Homeland Defense of the Constitution, The Washington Times, Retrieved from, http://scu.edu/ethics/publication/briefings/privacy.html Hentoff, N., (October 6, 2011), Lack of Privacy, becoming normal? The Fort Morgan Times, Retrieved from, http://search.proquest.com/docview/919661310? Mitrano, T., (December 2008), Civil Privacy and National Security Legislation: A Three- Scalliger, C. (May 21, 2012), Knowing every bit about you. The New American issue 28, p

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