The events of September 11, 2001, have changed the lives of Americans forever.
Few would have ever thought America could be so vulnerable. Since this tragedy, many changes have been made in the name of "National Security." 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. Shortly before signing the Patriot Act into law, President Bush stated, "It will give intelligence and law enforcement officials important new tools to fight a present danger."(http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/10/20011026-5.html). Could it be that our government was really changing the constitution? Some view this induction as a violation of our civil rights, while other feel we should do whatever it takes to protect our country. Americans have always valued liberty over security, but when asked which they favored---- Americans voted by a 3:1 margin for security over liberty (Weyrich, 2002). .
Some of the fundamental rights that have been changed are freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of information, freedom from unreasonable searches, right to legal representation, right to a speedy and public trial, and right to liberty. According to the Associated Press, the government may prosecute librarians or keepers of any other records if they tell anyone that the government has subpoenaed information related to a terrorist investigation. The government has also closed once-public immigration hearings, and has secretly detained hundreds of people without charges. They can monitor religious and political institutions without suspecting criminal activity and can search and seize Americans" papers and personal effects without probable cause. They can monitor federal prison conversations between attorneys and clients, and deny lawyers to Americans accused of crimes. Americans can be held indefinitely in jail without a trial, all in the name of national security.
