Patriot Act !

[TheDonkey]

I need some help everyone. I have been having a debate with some friends over the Patriot Act. Somehow there are two of them that think that there is nothing wrong with the plan and are defending it. Sadly I don't know much about the Patriot Act's language or how in depth it goes into stealing our civil liberties.

Can anyone point me in the direction of posts on DU discussing the Patriot Act, or knowledgeable on the Patriot Act itself?

Thanks!

[Devlzown]

1. I don't know how comprehensive this is.

http://www.bartcop.com/lostrights.htm
But it's a start.

[wuushew]

2. The ACLU is challanging several aspects of the Patriot Act

They probably have some good info on the specifics. DO NOT read the Patriot Act in its entirety it is very dry reading.

I assume your friends support it because they are non-arab American citizens. The best way to argue the case is to make them reaffirm the importance of the impartiality of the law. Also you could point out how the Patriot Act is being used for non-terrorism related "crimes" like non-violent drug use.

Finally you should point what a piss poor job the FBI did protecting the civil liberties of American citizens during the Vietnam era. Anyone who feels the modern FBI is reformed and incapable of such transgressions is just fooling themselves.



Quote: Benjamin Franklin

Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security, will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.

[lcordero]

3. For more info go here:

http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/SafeandFree.cfm?ID=12126&c=207
http://www.pipeline.com/~rgibson/patriot.html

The second link goes a short summary of the invasive parts.
Look up "patriot act" in http://www.google.com if you want to look any further.

You can also find the literature for the USA Patriot Act here:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c107:4:./temp/~c107l1Vu6Y::

[redeye]

4. Hmmm...

1. The Fascist Act defines hacking as terrorism.
2. The FA allows the Attorney General to jail people without a trial.
3. The FA allows the President to deisgnate groups as terrorist organizations indiscriminantly (he's done that to a couple of environmental organizations) and bar every member of them from flying or from entering the US.
4. The FA allows the FBI to check anyone's internet history without a warrant.

[TheDonkey]

5. Thanks for everyones help ^^^^

I was able to form a very coherent argument to blast the act.

You posters are true patriots. :toast: