? Clowning Around | Main | Flogging Molly ?
October 11, 2004
Repeal the USA Patriot Act
I was told about this issue from a Librarian friend. She said that with the USA Patriot Act, the U.S. Government can demand to see library records for who checked out what books and when, without notifying the library patrons. Interesting isn't it?
Isn't there a balance between protecting liberties and catching and holding someone accountable for their actions when they violate the law? From one point of view, there is a need to protect us from Terrorists, and from another point of view there is a need to protect us from a corrupt government that has too much power that could be used against it's citizens.
I am wondering where the checks and balances are also. The following set of links has a good overview of the issues and the implications.
Repeal the USA Patriot Act
by Jennifer Van Bergen
t r u t h o u t | April 1, 2002
http://www.truthout.com/docs_02/04.02A.JVB.Patriot.htm
EPIC site with a good overview, information and news related to the USA Patriot Act:
http://www.epic.org/privacy/terrorism/usapatriot/
U.S. Government site: Preserving Life & Liberty
Talks about the benefits of the Patriot Act from the Governments perspective:
WARNING: The following site explicity states that it is tracking every computer that accesses it, including the links clicked on, the computer's ID and it's hosting service. I find it interesting that they say this is done to 'improve their services.'
http://www.lifeandliberty.gov/
Governments Field Report promoting and justifying the Use of the Patriot Act so far:
http://www.lifeandliberty.gov/docs/071304_report_from_the_field.pdf
The Patriot Act:
http://www.epic.org/privacy/terrorism/hr3162.html
Balance in life is a good thing. Freedom is good. With freedom comes responsibility to not abuse our freedom or positions of responsibility. With power comes responsibility to rule justly and wisely.
The war on Terror continues but some day it will be over. Will our government be willing to give up power once granted?
Posted by carl1236 at October 11, 2004 09:37 PM | Balance