The Patriot Act

Argumentative Essay # 99720

Hot Topics > Terror and 9/11
Law
Political Science > Terrorism
Political Science > U.S.

The Patriot Act

This paper examines the American government's post 9/11 surveillance of citizens.

1,337 words () | 5 sources | MLA | 2006 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the need for protection from outside danger as well as the need for Americans to have their basic rights protected. The paper emphasizes the dangers of taking away the privacy of Americans in the name of national security. The paper strongly contends that the need for national protection does not supersede the necessity of Americans' having full civil liberties. The paper includes an annotated bibliography.

From the Paper:

"In today's climate, there are many threats against American citizens' way of life. It is the government's job to protect the American people, from not only outside forces, but also from each other. In the wake of September 11, 2001, the United States government went on the offensive and began illegally monitoring phone calls, e-mails, and other communication of American people suspected of terrorist affiliation. The president justifies the actions of the government by stating he was authorized to use "all necessary and appropriate force." ("Domestic Surveillance") Which asks the question, where does the government protection end and government interference begin?"

Sample of Sources Used:

"Bush Administration Defends Domestic Surveillance Program; Critics Question Legality; Other Developments." Facts On File World News Digest 19 Jan. 2006. Facts On File World News Digest @ FACTS.com. Facts On File News Services. Chicago State University Library, Chicago. 22 Feb. 2005 <Http://www.2facts.com.bluestem.csu.edu:2048/TempFiles/2006375660.htm>.
"Domestic Surveillance." Issues & Controversies 27 Jan. 2006. Issues & Controversies @ FACTS.com. Facts On File News Services. Chicago State University Library, Chicago. 22 Feb. 2005 <Http://www.2facts.com.bluestem.csu.edu:2048/TempFiles/i1100050.htm>.
"Justice Department Probes Leak Of NSA Wiretap Program; Possibility of Criminal Charges Raised; Other Developments." Facts On File World News Digest 31 Dec. 2005. Facts On File World News Digest @ FACTS.com. Facts On File News Services. Chicago State University Library, Chicago. 22 Feb. 2005 <Http://www.2facts.com.bluestem.csu.edu:2048/TempFiles/2005371600.htm>.
Risen, James, and Eric Lichtblau. "Bush Lets U.S. Spy on Callers Without Courts." The New York Times 16 Dec. 2005, Late ed., sec. Foreign Desk: 1. Newsbank. Chicago State University Library, Chicago. 25 Feb. 2005 <http://infoweb.newsbank.com.bluestem.csu.edu:2048/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_docid=10E8A4AD1F186360&p_docnum=5&p_queryname=3&p_product=NewsBank&p_theme=aggregated4&p_nbid=L5AB51DNMTE0MjE5NjE5MS42MzMxNzg6MToxMjo2Ni4xNTguMTcuMjc>.
"Secret Surveillance of U.S. Citizens Revealed (Special Report)." Dec. 2005. The World Almanac Encyclopedia @ FACTS.com. Facts On File News Services. Chicago State University Library, Chicago. 22 Feb. 2005 <Http://www.2facts.com.bluestem.csu.edu:2048/TempFiles/xn12720.htm>.