The Hasty Implementation of the USA Patriot Act Post-9/11

Since September 11, 2001 the USA Patriot act was put into law, with very few congress reviews and debates. This act was put into place just 43 days after the terrorist attack. The US Patriot act stands for “(Uniting and Strengthening America” (Fritscher, 2007). In order to do so the most suitable tools for this would have to be required to seize and hinder the act of terrorism. The US Patriot is divided into ten sections that are called “titles”, these titles contains many sections so that the proper clarity is received for the provisions of each title.

The sections and titles are what outline the recent powers that have been provided to the federal government so that they would be able to expedite investigation of terrorist acts (Fritscher, 2007). This outline also investigates the proper checks and balances that are designed to make sure that the power is not abused” (Fritscher, 2007). The provisions of the US Patriot act had been designed due to the 9/11 terrorist attack” (Fritscher, 2007).

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Fritscher (2007), "[It was believed that bureaucratic red tape prevented vital surveillance activities and information transmissions that could potentially have thwarted the attacks. ]”. The most important factor now is to make that if another terrorist attack be attempted or planned; the government will have the power to prevent that attack from happening. Due to the mild review of the US Patriot act many citizens were and some still are against the act because they feel as if their rights as citizens are being taken away from them. This paper will give three advantages and disadvantages of the US Patriot act.

Different agencies have a lack of communication with each other when it comes to crime, the Patriot act is good because the steam lines of communication between these agencies can work together to investigate high profile cases or cases such as terrorism. It also comes into play by making sure that there would be easier but less slacking in the investigation and surveillance (Fritscher, 2007). The Patriot act is good because if there is damage to a business or any kind of infrastructure, the act will provide increased funding for those victims of terrorist attacks and not only the victims but their families as well (Fritscher, 2007).

Buildings that are damaged can be rebuilt with the extra funding that the US Patriot will provide. This act also has a positive advantage to be able to monitor and expand surveillance powers. The governments are also able to monitor different kind of communications so that they can be sure that terrorism is not going to take place. Another advantage is that there has to be a more intelligence sharing among the different law enforcements. And last but not least the behaviors of people in the community can be surveillance by those domestic law enforcers whom are stationed within the cities they live.

Just by sharing the criminal investigative information allows domestic law enforcement and foreign intelligence to work together. There are good advantages that come with the US Patriot act, some individuals just don’t want to see them or may see them but still question their rights as citizens. Not only does the Patriot act have advantages but it also has some disadvantages. The advantages outweigh the disadvantages because there are more advantages than there are disadvantages.

One disadvantage is that the government has a right to go into your house if they suspect terrorist activities. This can be done without you knowing or without having to get a court order to enter you house. Most citizens don’t agree with this part of the act at all. Citizens feel as if their rights have been invaded by the government because they pretty much have the power to do whatever they like. Another disadvantage is that the government has the power to view personal habits of not only those who are guilty of terrorism but also of those who resides in the United States.

This is the kind of act you define and see as the government having sweeping power to do what they feel they need to do to keep this country safe. There has been much criticism about the act being in effect and too thorough. The last disadvantage would be, if law enforcement suspect an individual is a criminal of worth they can request for any kind of records they need to see on that individual. Mathewson (2009), "[Looking at our current president and his concerns of the US Patriot Act and he has similar reasoning.

As time approaches to reconsider the USA Patriot Act. ]” . President Obama stated that “( he wanted to show the American people that the terrorist can be tracked down without stomping all over citizens civil liberties and to also show American people that the federal government will only issue warrants and execute searches” (Mathewson, 2009). Till this day the USA Patriot Act is an ongoing debate. Citizens feel like they have no more rights since the US Patriot act came into play. Citizens don’t feel as free as they did before the 9/11 attack.