Advantages and Disadvantages of The Patriot Act

After the tragic terrorist attacks in New York City on September 11, the government kicked national security into high gear. One of the measures that they took was signing the Patriot Act into action. This act, which stands for Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism, was signed into effect by President Bush in order to monitor any new terrorist activities that may happen in the country. The act gave the government new powers into the personal lives of citizens, that it has never had before. Many people felt that it was a violation of privacy, while others agreed that it was a necessary measure to ensure the safety of America.

The Advantages of The Patriot Act

1. Support System for Victims
One of the biggest parts of the Patriot Act was that it allotted a great amount of funding the the families of victim’s of terrorist attacks. Along with this financial support, they also provide great emotional and psychological support for these families.

2. Better Protected
The specific techniques that the Patriot Act gave to law enforcers gave them the necessary tools to protect against and further prevent, any act of terrorism from happening in the country. This is good for everybody.

3. Good Results
Since the day that the act was signed into effect, it has helped to convict people with relations to over 400 terrorist crimes. These crimes could have resulted into countless deaths of innocent people, and the Patriot Act prevented this.

4. Checks and Balances
The Patriot act is separated into many different sections and titles, each over looked by different branches of the government. This is a prime example of the checks and balances system in our country.

5. Peace of Mind
The purpose of the act was the prevent any further terrorist attacks from happening in our country, but it was also meant to put people at ease after such a tragic event like the Twin Tower Attacks.

The Disadvantages of The Patriot Act

1. Infringes On Privacy
Some of the questionable things that this act allows the government to do is tap into phones, personal records, emails, and any other parts of people’s private lives. This makes people extremely uncomfortable about their constitutional rights being breached.

2. Information Used For Other Things
One big question is raised when it comes to the Patriot Act. Whether they are only using the information for convictions of terroristic crimes, or other petty crimes as well. The exact use of all of the information gathered has not been disclosed.

3. Strips Some of Rights
Anyone that is considered a threat, or a possible threat, can be imprisoned for any amount of time without due process. Their innocence no longer matters if they are thought to be involved in terrorist activity.

4. No More Anonymous
Online and phone interactions can be completely tracked underneath this act. This means that anything that you do or say is not private and can be tracked back to you.

Important Facts About The Patriot Act

  • The act makes it so that the government doesn’t have to disclose the identity of anyone that is being detained.
  • The Lone Wolf provision of the Patriot Act allows the government to track non-U.S. Citizens, even without the threat of terrorist activity.
  • Over 36 terrorist plots have been stopped due to the Patriot Act.
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