Sunday, May 3, 2015

The USA Patriot Act: A Sketch

Yi Zhou
Section 001
ASA 002
Week 6 reading


In the article “The USA Patriot Act: A Sketch”, it introduces that the Act was passed after the terrorists’ attacks of September 11, 2001. In order to give federal officials more authority, the law allows the officials to legally record any conversation through phone, email and other technological devices. I am wondering how can these police tell if the person is terrorist or not through brief conversation? Some people may just joke with friends through the phone, and they will be considered as terrorists. Although the Act may help the police figure out where are the terrorists, the Act may also lead some innocent people be arrested. The Americans sacrifice their freedom and privacy because of the Act. Besides, if the terrorist indeed want to attack the US, they may use some more advanced technical devices to prevent anyone else to listen or record. The Act cannot protect the citizen fundamentally but sacrifice the liberty of the citizen.



How many case, that the police arrested people but later found out them to be innocent, happened after the Act?  


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