America, the country of freedom, or is it? You may read the newspaper or have heard people talking about the Patriot Act. Most people are not talking about it, they are arguing over it. This Act, passed in response to the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks on our country, was passed quickly and in a time of fear. It affects all of us in some basic and important ways. The Patriot Act is not patriotic, but more like a put down to our country. The name, itself, is insulting, given what the Act contains and what it's known for: its dismissal of democratic law and principles. Although some people find it to be helpful, the Patriot Act is morally wrong and against our Constitution. The Patriot Act goes against the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Fourteenth, and Eighth, Amendments.
In the Fourth Amendment it violates the right "to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures," where warrants can only be issued upon "probable cause" and must be specific as to place to be searched and persons or things to be taken. Section 213 of the Act permits "sneak and peek" searches. That means the government has the right to go into your home while you are away, copy your hard drive, files, gather and take any information or items they please without ever serving you a notice. They can then delay serving you notice for up to 90 days after the fact. These new warrants can be issued for "reasonable cause," instead of the more difficult to get "probable cause" of the fourth amendment. Some people think that it is a good idea because it could lead to catching terrorists, but what about the other 99 percent of people that are not committing crimes? Under this Act people that are not committing crimes are currently being held violating the Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments.
The Fifth, Sixth and Fourteenth amendments outline the right to due process. Which is a trial by one's peers, to face one's accuser and view the evidence against oneself, and to have an attorney present.
