U.S. P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Act

Paper Summary:

This paper critically examines the United States' P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Act in light of domestic terrorist attacks such as the anthrax scare and 9/11. The author contends that this legislation was passed in an environment of fear. It is further argued that such an Act would not have been passed if the nation were not in a state of panic.

From the Paper:

"Bioterrorism, though, was not enough to convince Americans that the Patriot Act was a necessity. Only after what soon became known as "nine-eleven" occurred would a panic stricken America be able to accept such intrusion of privacy for safety. Over 5,400 people were lost in this single tragedy. This was the single worst day-death toll that has been experienced for America since the Battle of Antietam during the Civil War. In comparison to Pearl Harbor in 1941, this attack had over twice as many deaths, and the majority of them were civilians (World). Because of this devastating attack, America as a whole felt crushed. The World Trade Centers were one of the United State's most prominent symbols of power, economic wealth, and unity with many of the world's nations. Only after this were Americans blind enough with rage, grief, and most of all fear to accept such a great invasion of privacy for safety against terrorism."

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: