The USA PATRIOT Act
The USA PATRIOT Act was signed into law on October 26, 2001 by George W. Bush. The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act was designed to do just what it claims. While it does this, do you know who can be targeted by it?
Before cracking open that can of worms, I'd like for you to consider these things. In October of 2001, there were anthrax alarms. Anthrax was mailed in October of 2001. Coincidence? Well, maybe, but consider this. The Senators who received the anthrax letters were attempting to amend the Patriot Act to protect civil liberties. Still think it was a coincidence? Two Senators received letters mailed the same day that Senator Feingold blocked an attempt to get the bill passed without discussion or amendments. Need more? The anthrax used was developed here in the United States at Fort Detrick, Maryland. Still more? The Supreme Court was shut down with an anthrax scare the day after the Patriot Act was signed by Bush. Want even more? Then President Bush was on Cipro, an anthrax antibiotic, six weeks prior to the anthrax scare.
So, what exactly did the Patriot Act do? It allows the government to search our homes, cars, computers, etc, without our knowledge. All they have to do is call on the Patriot Act to do it. It also made it so that the courts couldn't easily stop telephone and internet surveillance in many criminal investigations without establishing probable cause. What does that mean for you? It means that they can state they are investigating you for a crime without having to show that they believe you've done it. They can make something up. It also states that the FBI can get access to your medical, financial, student, and library records with little interaction from the courts. You heard me. They can get your credit card information without having to show probable cause that you've ever committed a crime. Remember the First Amendment? The one on free speech? Well, the Patriot act thought about that one too. The potential is there for it to designate any group as "potential terrorist groups" and subject them to surveillance, wiretapping, harassment, and potential arrest and detention. Freedom of Association is also undermined. The MIAC Report was downright chilling. If you honestly believe that you couldn't be labeled a potential terrorist, then you really need to read that report. Libertarian? Terrorist. Gun owner? Terrorist. If the government subpoenas information related to terror investigations, you can be prosecuted if you tell anyone about it. What? You have got to be kidding me. The government can monitor conversations in federal prisons between attorneys and clients and deny lawyers to U.S. citizens accused of crimes. The government may jail anyone indefinitely without a trial, including U.S. citizens. Anyone may be jailed without being charged or being able to confront witnesses against them. I'm sorry, but did I suddenly move to 1933 Germany without knowing it?
"Give me liberty or give me death." Those words were shouted by Patrick Henry. Most Americans will recognize them. Most will feel that those words ring true. So why are we giving up our liberties? Benjamin Franklin stated that "they who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." So why are we giving up our liberties? The answer is that the general public has fallen asleep. They are not paying attention to what the government is doing anymore. They are trusting the big boys to take care of them when the big boys are working for someone even more sinister. The Globalists.
Image taken from the White House archives.
