The Patriot Act was enacted in direct response to the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, as well as the 2001 anthrax attacks, with the stated goal of dramatically strengthening national security. Opponents of the law have criticized its provision for indefinite detention of immigrants; permission to law enforcement to search a home or business without the owner’s or the occupant’s consent or knowledge under certain circumstances; the expanded use of National Security Letters, which allows the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to search telephone, email, and financial records without a court order; and the expanded access of law enforcement agencies to business records, including library and financial records. Since its passage, several court challenges have been brought against the act, and federal courts have ruled that a number of provisions are unconstitutional.
@ISIDEWITH11yrs
No, and pass strict laws prohibiting government surveillance without probable cause and a warrant
@ISIDEWITH11yrs
Yes, but limit the scope of the government’s powers
@ISIDEWITH6yrs
Yes, but the sections involving surveillance and criminalization are too broad
@4TXVWDS2yrs
No. I understand the idea, and I'm sure many terrorist acts have been prevented because of survelience. However, we cannot give up our individual freedoms in order to feel protected. You didn't see this scale of "American Infidel" in the past. We were a better country before. We were proud of our country (on the large scale) and there was such a thing as the American Dream. We have deterriorated as a country. There is no "American Dream" unless you county being materialistic, judgemental, and constantly offended. During World War II people gave up luxuries in order to support their country, even when their husbands/sons/brothers/friends were sent fighting. While there is still military support, it is not the same. It is not true support, but rather a support with a side of guilt and disgust to those that oppose it.
@4S3TY7P2yrs
With a warrant for any American citizen. Must have an individualized warrant. Mass survallence on Islamic citizens. Ban refugees for 2 years. Push a propaganda campaign for women's rights in the Middle East and stop lying about Islam for political gain or political correctness
@52YJQ552yrs
The Constitution works just fine if it is used properly.
@4S4KFX82yrs
Well... Not really. They've gone too far with it. I do support placing cameras everywhere and monitoring what people do in public. Are 2 guys carrying satchel charges to the stands of the Boston Marathon? Gosh, maybe that's a problem. Did an unattended bag explode? Gosh, maybe we can see who put it there before it blew up... Is someone mugging your mother in front of the A&P? Gosh, maybe we could alert the cop on the next block...
@5BXFFJZ2yrs
It has been the excuse to enforce the UN Global agenda. 9.11 was an inside job. Create the fear and terror, then work to destroy the country to the point they can call in UN "peacekeepers" who have no affiliation other than to the UN, and would work for their richest elite - not to help us.
@4QBFGKK2yrs
No, many parts of it including section 215 completely undermine the constitutional rights of U.S citizens
@4ST4KNB2yrs
I have a brown skin. Anytime I travel on a plane, I have to endure extra security procedures. I am not middle-eastern, I am an all-American racial mix. Think about that.
@4R2SYPD2yrs
The Patriot Act should be subjected to a constitutional test as should be all legislation. It should have a sunset clause.
@4QC43PP2yrs
Yes, but do away with detainment and deportation because it violates due process.
Yes, but with sunset provision requiring Congressional approval every 2 years.
@4QT6B3K2yrs
Absolutely not this gives big government too much power to spy and pry into citizens private lives. There doesn't need to be a patriot act for the government to protect itself and its citizens. It's called have a pair of balls and let Old Glory fly.
@98ZKKPM6hrs
I have no say, I'm not a proud American. Definitely not a patriot.
@98Y5YM42 days
Yes, but they should have limited scope with their said "powers" and they need probable cause in order to search or they risk being terminated and arrested
@98XHHHSProgressive3 days
No, but I do support action against terrorism.
@98XFXWL3 days
Yes, but the act has resulted in unfair discrimination and should be improved in order to prevent innocent people from being unjustly persecuted.
@98VZGKQ1wk
Yes, but remove the sections of searches or raids without probable cause and have a period where they can be detained.
@98VN5KP1wk
Patriot Act now abused and used against patriots. Revise, reform or repeal.
Do not know what this act is.
I will say I do support it but at the same time I don't so it's in the middle for me.
@98STYX32wks
Yes, but it should only be applied very strictly, to extreme cases only.
@98QFR9B2wks
No, as it violates the 4th amendment
@98P4FYC3wks
No, and pass strict laws prohibiting government surveillance without probable cause and a warrant also limit the scope of the government’s powers.
@98P4CM63wks
Patriot Act. Wrong in every way! Government overreach to the max.
@98MRNFX3wks
I'd rather not comment
@98M6NPH3wks
No, but create a new act that increases public surveillance and strict laws against private surveillance unless granted by strict warrant or probable cause laws
@98M3D4R3wks
I believe changes were needed to keep the country safe from future deadly attacks but my concern is that this act gives the government too much power
@98LYC2G3wks
Communist revolutionaries should not be wiretapped.
@98KZL6Q4wks
Remove all/any forms of proactive government surveillance.
Yes, but no surveillance or searches can be conducted without a court order/warrant. If a legally obtained court order with enough evidence is for surveillance, that court order can be used without the parties knowledge until a charge has been made
I would support the Patriot Act more if the focus was on the safety of regular citizens being monitored on top of the criminalization of threats, but I do not know much of the details of the Act. Otherwise, I would say I am roughly indifferent about the Act.
@98GVXBD1mo
Yes, and we should expand the scope of surveillance to include domestic organized crime.
@98FVHGS1mo
neither, i dont really care
@98FPLZN1mo
Don’t know enough about this.
@98DRS8T2mos
I neither support it or am against it. I am neutral
@98BRV6F2mos
The government should watch us all
@93RZVS92mos
No, pass strict laws prohibiting government surveillance without probable cause and a warrant, allow civilians to sue the goverment that break these laws and greatly expand the Freedom of Information Act.
@98BD2RY2mos
yes, but make it milder and make it only violent terrorists
@98B2DK62mos
No, governments shouldn't be allowed to spy on the people.
@989FVM32mos
Only if the people in question are Muslim.
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