2008 Woodie Awards
What It means to be a patriot...
How the Patriot Act infringes upon our civil liberties
Drew Lewis
Issue date: 9/14/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 2 next >
The events of September 11, 2001 shocked our nation out of complacency and forced us into realizing that terrorism is a force that can monumentally have an effect on our nation, even as it crosses the mountains of Tora Bora, the steppe of Mesopotamia, and the sands of the Sahara. It was a horrific day that will forever vividly remain in the minds of all those consciously aware of its existence. But what truly defines the events of that day and trumps the evil that rained from the skies are the freedoms that were defiled that day - the freedom to earn a living, the freedom to feel safe in our environment, the freedom to travel, but most importantly, the freedom to exist at all. Our basic human liberties were violated with great malice, but what was to follow was and still is far worse: it is the current persecution of our civil liberties by our own government. The word "patriot" has been bastardized to represent someone who will stop at nothing to protect the American way of life, despite the fact that it involves infringing upon the rights and liberties guaranteed to us by both our forefathers and our Creator.
The Patriot Act is a controversial governmental reaction to the disaster that befell us that day. Of course, the government had to do something, otherwise it is assumed that they are disconnected from the people and are impotent as a government entity. However, being that the nation had been attacked in such a violent manner reminiscent of Pearl Harbor, it is understandable that errors in judgment can be made. However, the apathy apparent at all levels of the government at that point is shocking. The allowance for government agents to wiretap without a warrant or interception of e-mail messages without a cease-and-desist order is a flagrant disregard of our constitutional rights. Even though it could be said that they had good intent in the passage of it, it undercuts what our founding fathers died for and the basis on which this country gained its independence.
The Patriot Act is a controversial governmental reaction to the disaster that befell us that day. Of course, the government had to do something, otherwise it is assumed that they are disconnected from the people and are impotent as a government entity. However, being that the nation had been attacked in such a violent manner reminiscent of Pearl Harbor, it is understandable that errors in judgment can be made. However, the apathy apparent at all levels of the government at that point is shocking. The allowance for government agents to wiretap without a warrant or interception of e-mail messages without a cease-and-desist order is a flagrant disregard of our constitutional rights. Even though it could be said that they had good intent in the passage of it, it undercuts what our founding fathers died for and the basis on which this country gained its independence.