I wonder what kind of grade I'll get from my fairly nice, but fairly pro war English teacher? Any bets? I have to warn you that it is "in relation to Orwell's 1984" because that's what we're reading in class. If any of you read my 9-11 piece back in September it is written with the same kind of anti Bush sarcastic overtones... I guess I can just post it here.
It's a work in progress but this is what I have...
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Imagine you are quietly reading in the library. You go to this library maybe once a week and just check out tons of interesting books. You’ve even checked out books on Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, because like any good American at war, you have to familiarize yourself with “the enemy”! The librarian knows you, and knows your taste in books. He gives you a coy smile from behind the counter… Wait, that’s not the regular librarian, that’s a FBI agent! RUN! Ok, so this scene sounds a little ridiculous, right? Well it is, but it is entirely plausible (I don’t make this stuff up! Really, I don’t.) because under one of the newly passed anti-terror laws, the federal government can now obtain records of books you’ve checked out at the library. The USA Patriot Anti-Terror Act, which was passed out of fear in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks on our country, has become one of the most controversial actions taken so far by the Bush Administration post 9-11. Many groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) argue that the Patriot Act infringes on our civil liberties and it should be revised or abolished, but the administration claims that the measures are necessary steps in the “war on terrorism”. Over 100 municipalities in the United States have issued changes to the Patriot Act. Many claim that not only does it infringe on our rights, but it also goes against the laws set forth in the Constitution. Both Republicans and Democrats alike continue to question the motives set forth in this document. Three years later, they are beginning to feel the effects and are wondering where we went wrong.
To say that the Patriot Act has not violated some of our constitutional rights is ludicrous. Our 1st, 4th, 5th, and 6th amendments have all been seriously compromised in our “defense against terrorism”, but perhaps the most affected has been the 4th Amendment. In the Constitution, the 4th Amendment (“search and seizure”) states that you must have a probable cause for searching and entering a home and you must obtain a warrant. According to Section 213 of the Patriot Act, the federal government can now enter and search your place, tap your phone lines, and tap your computer without even letting you know they were present. What is worse is that they can do all of this without a warrant. But hold up a second, because it gets a little more complicated than that. For the Patriot Act to actually be used, the person being searched must have participated in an act of “domestic terrorism”. The problem really lies in the vague definition of what “domestic terrorism” entails. In Section 802 of the Patriot Act, it is stated that any activity that “appears to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population or to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion” is an act of domestic terrorism. My interpretation of that is that can include a number of things, including organizations like PETA or large protests of our government. I have been to a protest, the main objective of the protest is to influence the policy of the government, or at least get your voice heard. To me, this also seems like a violation of Amendment 1, the right to freedom of speech. It is one of our most important freedoms, why is it being restricted? Where exactly does our government draw the line on acts of domestic terrorism? Back to that scary scene at the library we talked about earlier. Sections 214-216 of the Patriot Act give the federal government to obtain library records, secretly monitor electronic communications, and can prohibit librarians or others to inform the library patron that they have disclosed this information. Congressman Bernie Sanders has tried to introduce a bill that will amend this section of the act called the “Freedom to Read Protection Act”.
One can not help but think of some of the Orwellian tactics being used in the Patriot Act. You’ll have to understand I’m not quite comfortable calling it that… To even call the document the “Patriot Act” and its supporters “patriots” is misleading. I say it again in this journal like I did on a previous journal; I think the true patriots are the ones questioning this whole deal and this whole “war on terrorism” shtick. You can wave around the American flag like the banner of the Spies in 1984; you can show your nationalism. But it’s important to remember that nationalism doesn’t always equate to patriotism. Everyone knows that patriotism isn’t just “showing your colors”, singing God Bless America at the 7th inning stretch at a Yankees game and wearing your coolest American flag shirt to the local 4th of July barbeque. Being a patriot is about stating your mind, using your intellect and questioning using the system set in place for you to do so! I could imagine the USA “Patriot Act” in a way reminiscent of Orwell’s 1984, but to say that would be crazy. We aren’t exactly implementing telescreens in people’s houses, but to me it is scary that the government can monitor our internet usage through Echelon, or through the Patriot Act. Some people may see the Patriot Act as a small inconvenience on our rights for the “good of the country”. How many small inconveniences will we have to endure before they build up on us? There is a famous quote (the person who said it escapes me right now), and it says, "When they took the 4th Amendment, I was quiet because I didn't deal drugs. When they took the 6th Amendment, I was quiet because I was innocent. When they took the 2nd Amendment, I was quiet because I didn't own a gun. Now they have taken the 1st Amendment, and I can only be quiet.” If the whole idea behind the Patriot Act was to protect us, why are they taking away our rights little by little?
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sources:
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/wdhopinion/277749042242111.shtml http://www.ccr-ny.org/v2/whatsnew/report.asp?ObjID=nQdbIRkDgG&Content=153 http://www.thedmonline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/09/22/3f6ea61748438http://timesargus.nybor.com/Story/70957.html
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