Christopher Lee

Section A01

Week 6

The USA Patriot Act: A Sketch

           From this reading, we are given the facts of the Patriot Act in excruciating detail. As we review the document, it becomes increasing clear that US authorities responded to the tragic events of September 11, 2001 by excessively using federal power in order to track and respond to terrorist activity, almost as if in a state of defensive paranoia. As observed, the act "create[d] new crimes, new penalties, and new procedural efficiencies for use against domestic and international terrorists." In many respects, this act can be considered as an invasion of the privacy of US citizens and and an overexertion of federal authority in the interest of national security. Overall, the Act, though at the cost of citizen freedom, seems to have served effective, as Americans have not faced any substantial terror threats ever since 9/11. Does this give authorities the right to continue infringing on our right or must we maintain a balance of freedom so that we may continue to exercise our rights?