Patriot Act, Good or Bad?

[Halo]

Some liberal friends of mine, part of the Defeated Democrats, now are again foaming at the mouth about the Patriot Act.  They see it as Big Brother/Gestapo/Gulag and further proof of the sinister agenda of W.  

In my patriotic complacency I've considered the Patriot Act as part of the arsenal to give the good guys at least as much ammo as the bad guys.  I wouldn't relish being snooped on without due cause, but it seems to me that most law abiding citizens have nothing to fear.  

I've researched the Patriot Act on line but, in contrast to the Constitution which is actually reasonably easy to understand, the Patriot Act looks like 34 pages of legalese subject to biased interpretation.  

What's your take on it?

[Lizking]

Halo, I have fought my way through the parts that concerned me.  What it boils down to, is that the PA itself does nothing, in and of itself.  What it does is alter language in various other laws that already exist.  To study it, you have to read the sections referenced in the PA in the general code.

In all of the sections I checked, the effects were minimal, and basically changed classifications of certain criminal acts, allowing them to be more aggressively pursued, or, in one case,  require a specific court to maintain 24 hour capability to issue warrants (though no requirements for the warrants themselves changed).

Pretty innocuous stuff, in my opinion.

[DREDIOCK]

Originally posted by Halo
Some liberal friends of mine, part of the Defeated Democrats, now are again foaming at the mouth about the Patriot Act.  They see it as Big Brother/Gestapo/Gulag and further proof of the sinister agenda of W.  
 

Im not a liberal, Nor am I a Democrat I Voted Bush not Kerry.

And that is exactly the way I see the patriot act.

Already have enough laws in our arsenal. thats never been the problem.
What we dont have is the ENFORCEMENT of those laws

[Gunslinger]

I think if anyone is COMPLETLY against the "patriot act" they know nothing about it accept the propaganda that's floating around out there.


There are PARTS of the patriot act, for example wire tapping, that allow the federal govt to wire tap without court order but from what I've read that is not admisable evidence in court.

Yes it crosses the lines when it comes to personal liberty.

BUT, there's other sections of it that allow CIA FBI DEA and other govt organizations to actually talk to eachother (in some ways it actually makes them) and share information that other org. didn't have about a suspect.

THIS IS THE GOOD PART OF IT, WE NEED THIS PART!

Like I said anyone that is inherently against the "Patriot Act" probably knows little about it.


"those that give up thier freedom for security deserve neither"  -paraphrase of Thomas Jefferson

[Eagler]

paranoid people ....

without it, after the next attack, the same ppl would be crying that it wasn't there...

put your bong down and relax, they ain't after you ...

[Lizking]

Gunslinger, can you find me the section that allows that wire-tapping?  I thought I researched that one, and it changed the type of warrant required, but it still required the stamp of a court.

[TweetyBird]

I have no problem with it. I'd empty my pockets any day any time if it helps law enforcement. I also have no problem with them monitoring my internet and cell phone activities. I think its that left wing crowd that likes looking at people's privates that are putting up all the fuss

"I want my kazza!! But I'm a Republican!"

[Gyro/T69]

Ahhh guys, would this be the same Patriot Act Saint Clinton supported? I’m sure you remember him?

"The Patriot Act enhances major incursions into civil liberties that were sponsored by Bill Clinton in 1994 and 1996, including the setting up of secret courts and the launch of mass deportations."

http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0331/mondo3.php