Tim Lewin
March 28, 2004
Am I Unpatriotic?
“Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism”. It’s an interesting acronym, but what does it really mean? Is it a beacon for all things that are truly patriotic? If I don’t have full faith in this piece of paper does that mean that I am no longer an American citizen, or that I no longer to be treated as such? The acronym was very cleverly picked to inspire just these feelings in the American citizen. In the wake of our nations greatest tragedy we were duped rich power hungry elites into supporting this acronym, not knowing what it truly stands for. In all fairness to your representatives, the bill swept through congress so quickly that very few law makers actually even read it. This passed legislation represents this biggest violation of our right to freedom in the history of these United States of America.
Appropriate tools, eh? Lets us first review exactly what “Appropriate Tools” entails. The Echelon program is one of my personal favorites. This program used by our government (under the patriot act) and other major governments around the world allows them to intercept any email, instant message, or fax regardless of warrants. Say goodbye to your personal privacy because it went out the window on October 26th, 2001. The government is now fully authorized to place you under surveillance for absolutely no reason at all, so watch what you say (they could be watching right now). But wait a minute, you see I thought that there was some sort of Bill of Rights or something that protected us from things like this. In fact I am almost certain that the 4th amendment pretty much specifically deals with just this issue. You see, our forefathers were extremely leery of big government controlling their lives. Much like we should be today. It would appear that our Constitution no longer means anything to our leadership, but what does that mean for us?
The patriot act also allows for the detention of “possible terrorist suspects” for an indefinite amount of time. Where I am from we call that illegal. In fact, it’s just down right unconstitutional. The 5th and 6th amendments protect our rights involving our criminal justice system. The 5th amendment explicitly states that citizens being detained for violating a law much be presently charged for their violation unless the circumstances surrounding the arrest pertain to the military. This would insinuate that we are now under martial law, for that is the only logical excuse for citizens to be picked up and not charged.
So am I unpatriotic? I can’t help it, I just have this crazy idea that I’m supposed have rights and things like, well like freedom. Crazy, huh? Well, if the Patriot Act II passes through congress then I guess I will be downright anti-American. The Patriot Act II (in congress now) will allow the government to hold detainees for an indefinite amount of time, and the government does not have to reveal the identities of the detainees. If it passes, anyone the government sees as a threat can disappear without a trace, and it will be perfectly legal.
Some may think this is great, get rid of all those mangy foreign terrorists. What you may not know is that the Patriot Act includes “domestic terrorism” as well. Those that may be a threat to the government from inside the country can be classified as domestic terrorists. What that really means is that political movements and special interest groups that may not coincide with the governments ideals can be classified as domestic terrorists. The A.C.L.U? Arrest them all, they are clearly peace loving terrorists bent on toppling the government. Sounds crazy, right? Well that’s the Patriot Act for you, crazy. It is an absolute abomination in the eyes of our Constitution. It’s crazy that we are allowing it to happen.
We are having our rights stolen right out from underneath us. We are being oppressed by the government that was made for us. The government that is supposed to provide us with justice and equality. We the people are not free, and if we do nothing to stop it then it is no one’s fault but our own. The Patriot Act II is in congress now, write to your representative and tell them how you feel. There is an anti-patriot act movement in Congress, if they receive support from the people then we can win our freedom back. With our own two hands we can take our country back.