Blog 6 by Hannah Ng (Section A02)

Charles Doyle's "The USA Patriot Act: A Sketch" talks about all of the different things the US government can now do for our protection... in exchange for our privacy. Although after September 11, 2001, for an Act like this to be instilled seemed plausible, the fact that the federal officials have greater authority to track and intercept communications WITHOUT the citizens' knowledge is a little creepy. We live in the Land of the Free, yet in reality we may be monitored by the federal government. I understand that it is to protect the NATION from terrorists and danger, yet it should not cost the privacy of innocent individuals. This can be a type of panopticon that causes people to be uncomfortable acting how they want because they feel like they are under surveillance.

Is there another method we can use to protect ourselves from terrorists?