Throughout the 1940s and 1950s America was overwhelmed with concerns about the threat of Communism growing in Eastern Europe and China. It was the height of the Cold War and Americans began to fear that Communists may infiltrate and take over the United States government. Capitalizing on those concerns, a young Senator named Joseph McCarthy made a public accusation that more than two hundred "card-carrying" Communists had been working in the United States government. During a span of about 4 years, McCarthy accused hundreds of innocent people of being Communist with little or no concrete evidence. Fear caused the American people to succumb to the preposterous charges brought forth by McCarthy. Though eventually his accusations were proven to be untrue, and he was censured by the Senate for unbecoming conduct, his zealous campaigning ushered in one of the most repressive times in 20th-century American politics, known by the term of McCarthyism. Since the 1950s, McCarthyism has been referred to as the unfair tactic of accusing people of disloyalty without providing evidence. .
Fifty years later, American people are faced with a new concern: Terrorism. In the wake of 9/11, the United States government had signed into law the USA PATRIOT Act, just six weeks after the attack, an overnight revision of the nation's surveillance laws. Its formal name is the "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act." Its stated purpose is "to deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world, to enhance law enforcement investigatory tools, and for other purposes." The USA PATRIOT Act gives the FBI and the CIA greater rights to wiretap phones, monitor internet usage, survey medical, financial and student records, and break into homes and offices without prior notification. It creates a new crime of domestic terrorism that is so broadly defined that it may be applied to citizens acting legally to express their dissent.
Congress may have made the same mistake as FDR by passing the Patriot Act so hastily. ... McCarthyism is named after Joe McCarthy. ... In case you haven't noticed, these examples have many similarities to the Patriot Act. ... These comparisons may not per sway those out there in support of the Patriot Act. ... The Patriot Act will have repercussions far worse than those of the Japanese camps or McCarthyism. ...
The Bush Administration exploited these intense emotions with the creation of the USA Patriot Act. ... The Patriot Act gives government agencies the opportunity to abuse their authority. ... The Patriot Act also infringes upon the protection guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment. ... However, the Patriot Act releases the government from practicing the law. ... The Patriot Act clearly goes against the Bill of Rights, which was designed to protect and guarantee civil liberties; however, there are a number of people that believe the Patriot Act is not depleting us of our civil liberties. ...
USA Patriot Act The events of September 11, 2001, have changed the lives of Americans forever. ... One of these changes is the USA Patriot Act. The USA Patriot Act was passed by congress and signed by President Bush October 26, 2001. ... They claim that the USA Patriot Act is unconstitutional and violates our constitutional rights. ... In my opinion, I feel the USA Patriot Act is a good idea. ...
This paper will provide a brief overview of the USA Patriot Act; included in this overview will be comments and opinions as to the impact of the USA Patriot Act on business world. ... The USA Patriot Act was passed in direct response to the events of September 11th, 2001. ... The USA Patriot Act was no different. ... (Joseph and Worlton, 2002)" How the USA Patriot Act is affecting Businesses. ... Some of the additional impact to colleges resulting from the USA Patriot Act will include: 1. ...
The "proposed" bills that make up the USA Patriot Act were a direct result of the acts of terrorism, when "combating terrorism became a national priority" (USA Patriot Act: Too Much 1). ... Many United States citizens and politicians support the USA Patriot Act and its provisions. ... Due to the devastating events which took place on September 11th, the USA Patriot Act was "passed quickly and without significant debate" (USA Patriot Act: Too Much 1). ... Countless libraries have refused to cooperate with the provisions of the USA Patriot Act. ... The USA Patriot Act was just the fi...
USA Patriot Act: Right or Wrong Introduction "Good morning and welcome to the White House. ... Patriot Act argue that the Act gives to mush power to the executive branch of the government, therefore violating the U.S. ... The Patriot Act simply codified legal authorities that have existed for years. ... To further solidify this opinion The following points are given from an article, The USA Patriot Act: Preserving Life and Liberty (www.lifeandliberty.gov/) 1. ... Patriot Act before I started this paper. ...
Bush enacted the USA Patriot Act. ... The USA Patriot Act was enacted by congress on October 26, 2001, with the idea that it would help a crippled nation combat terrorism. ... The Patriot Sunset Extension Act of 2011 is a four year extension of three important provisions of the USA Patriot Act which has proved effective when combating terrorism. ... The current policy on terrorism is known as the USA Patriot Act has been foiling terrorist plots since its enactment by congress on October 26, 2011. ... The USA Patriot Act has not only physically kept terrorist out of America but has cut the fund...
The USA Patriot Act was hastily passed in the wake of the horrific attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. ... The Patriot Act undertakes an endeavor that does not undermine the basic freedoms of Americans, but protects a country of citizens that have willingly invested their freedoms in the government for protection. The USA Patriot Act gives the government the right to monitor the research habits of suspected terrorists in an effort to stop terrorism. ... Thus, the USA Patriot Act is a preventative act that is precise in those who it targets. ... The USA Patriot Act demonstrates it intends to uphold ...
USA Patriot Act: Preventing Terror or Expanding Government Power The United States is a country that prides itself in individual rights and freedoms. ... The USA Patriot Act, which stands for the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, introduced many new legislative changes largely effecting people's privacy. ... Passed just six weeks after the September 11th attacks with no time to analyze the bill, with no discussion, debate or hearings; The USA Patriot act became law on a 98-1 vote in the Unite...
