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The U.S. Patriots Act

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The U.S. Patriots Act
On September 11th, 2001 the United States witnessed one of the worst tragedies in American history. Approximately 3,000 civilians lost their lives following the terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre in New York City, and the government at the time, lead by George W. Bush, took immediate action. The Patriot Act was enacted on October 26th, 2001, just forty-five days after the attacks, with the intent of lawfully allowing law enforcement more leeway when investigating terrorist organizations. Terrorism is detrimental and puts all members of society at risk. The United States government has gone to great lengths to protect its country from acts of terrorism. Invoking the US Patriots Act is an example of the lengths the American government will go to allegedly protect its citizens. While many would agree a response to terrorism is necessary, the US Patriots Act may have been rushed, and therefore, unlawfully infringes on individual liberties. Citizens saw the enactment of the Patriot Act as a step in the right direction for the United States government. Progress was quickly being made following a devastating attack on the country, and it reassured the American public that they would be protected. However, it was later discovered that this act essentially allows the FBI, CIA, and the White House to spy on its citizens. Host of The Daily Show and political satirist, Jon Stewart stated the following with respect to the Patriot Act:
“If the events of September 11, 2001, have proven anything, it 's that the terrorists can attack us, but they can 't take away what makes us American -- our freedom, our liberty, our civil rights. No, only Attorney General John Ashcroft can do that.”.
Following the enactment of the Patriot Act it was discovered that Congress was in such a rush to pass this piece of legislation that it was encouraged that members of congress not even read the act’s in its entirety, but rather just vote in its favour. This left most members of


Cited: 2. "Another Cave-In on the Patriot Act." New York Times. N.p., 11 Feb. 2006. Web. 21 May 2013. 3. Cohen, Tobi. "Controversial Anti-terror Bill Passes, Allowing Preventative Arrests, Secret hearings." National Post. N.p., 25 Apr. 2013. Web. 21 May 2013. 15. United States. United States Congress. UNITING AND STRENGTHENING AMERICA BY PROVIDING APPROPRIATE TOOLS REQUIRED TO INTERCEPT AND OBSTRUCT TERRORISM (USA PATRIOT ACT) ACT OF 2001. N.p., 26 Oct. 2001. Web. 24 May 2013. 17. Wallace-Wells, Benjamin. "Patriot Act." New York Magazine. N.p., 27 Aug. 2011. Web. 24 May 2013. 18. "Worst since 9/11: Boston Bombing Revives Terrorism Ghosts." RT USA. N.p., 16 Apr. 2013. Web. 26 May 2013. [ 3 ]. "Revising the Patriot Act." New York Times 10 Apr. 2005: WK11(L). Global Issues In Context. Web. 6 May 2013. [ 5 ]. "Revising the Patriot Act." New York Times 10 Apr. 2005: WK11(L). Global Issues In Context. Web. 6 May 2013. [ 6 ]. "Cave-in on the Patriot Act." International Herald Tribune 13 Feb. 2006: 8. Global Issues In Context. Web. 6 May 2013. [ 7 ]. "Cave-in on the Patriot Act." International Herald Tribune 13 Feb. 2006: 8. Global Issues In Context. Web. 6 May 2013. [ 8 ]. "Revising the Patriot Act." New York Times 10 Apr. 2005: WK11(L). Global Issues In Context. Web. 6 May 2013. [ 9 ]. "Revising the Patriot Act." New York Times 10 Apr. 2005: WK11(L). Global Issues In Context. Web. 6 May 2013. [ 10 ]. "Another Cave-In on the Patriot Act." New York Times. N.p., 11 Feb. 2006. Web. 21 May 2013. [ 17 ]. "A threat to freedom." International Herald Tribune 23 Sept. 2003: 8. Global Issues In Context. Web. 6 May 2013. [ 18 ]. United States. United States Congress. UNITING AND STRENGTHENING AMERICA BY PROVIDING APPROPRIATE TOOLS REQUIRED TO INTERCEPT AND OBSTRUCT TERRORISM (USA PATRIOT ACT) ACT OF 2001. N.p., 26 Oct. 2001. Web. 24 May 2013. [ 19 ]. Wallace-Wells, Benjamin. "Patriot Act." New York Magazine. N.p., 27 Aug. 2011. Web. 24 May 2013. [ 23 ]. Cohen, Tobi. "Controversial Anti-terror Bill Passes, Allowing Preventative Arrests, Secret hearings." National Post. N.p., 25 Apr. 2013. Web. 21 May 2013. [ 27 ]. "Worst since 9/11: Boston Bombing Revives Terrorism Ghosts." RT USA. N.p., 16 Apr. 2013. Web. 26 May 2013. [ 28 ]. Worst since 9/11: Boston Bombing Revives Terrorism Ghosts." RT USA. N.p., 16 Apr. 2013. Web. 26 May 2013. [ 29 ]. Worst since 9/11: Boston Bombing Revives Terrorism Ghosts." RT USA. N.p., 16 Apr. 2013. Web. 26 May 2013. [ 30 ]. Worst since 9/11: Boston Bombing Revives Terrorism Ghosts." RT USA. N.p., 16 Apr. 2013. Web. 26 May 2013. [ 31 ]. Worst since 9/11: Boston Bombing Revives Terrorism Ghosts." RT USA. N.p., 16 Apr. 2013. Web. 26 May 2013. [ 34 ]. United States. United States Congress. UNITING AND STRENGTHENING AMERICA BY PROVIDING APPROPRIATE TOOLS REQUIRED TO INTERCEPT AND OBSTRUCT TERRORISM (USA PATRIOT ACT) ACT OF 2001. N.p., 26 Oct. 2001. Web. 24 May 2013.
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