What's an alternative to the USA Patriot Act without violating the civil liberties of Americans?

Question

Tougher immigration laws and border crossings with Mexico and Canada, CIA reform? What are your thoughts to the most effective approach?

Answer 1

First of all the patriot act is unnecassary. The government had the legal capability to do all the things necessary to insure our security already on the law books. The passage of it was nothing more than making the govenment look like it was doing something about the problems when in actuality it was actually undermining the bill of rights.

Wire tapping is perfectly legal with a warrant. There was a special national security court that was set up during the 70's that allows warrants to be issued up to a week after the wire tapping has already been started. The catch is that you have to have probable cause to tap the phone even retroactivly. The problem with this administration is that they do not care that they are breaking the law by refusing to even apply for these warrants which means they are doing blanket wire taps without probable cause at all.

“Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”
Hermann Göring 1946 Nuremberg Trials(Nazi)

Answer 2

The issue is security. Mikis, above is right on several points. The Patriot Act, is a part of the CURRENT solution (and it should be dismantled as soon as practical). It MUST be coupled with sealing the borders, cutting aid to hostile countries, etc. The CIA for years has been hamstrung by regulations which limit where it can get intel. There is now a group attitude which is antithetical to some of the needs we now have. A housecleaning of the CIA, FBI, and some of the rest of the alphabet soup is needed.

Answer 3

Hmm. Are you a conservative who opposes the Patriot Act? I hope so. This Republican bill does more to compromise your constitutional rights than eight years of Clinton. I would simply enforce the laws we have. We have anti immigration laws that regulate immigration. But we don't enforce them. The CIA/FBI fiasco has been interesting. I think we should stick with the warrant for starters. No illegal wiretapping. Might wiretapping speed up the process and perhaps make us a little safer? Perhaps, but I for one, am not ready to trade liberties for a little more security. Check out the Jeffersonian/Reaganite Conservatives group. In my opinion, both of those men had it down. I wish we still had them to sort out this mess.

Answer 4

First. The Patriot act does not violate our civil rights. Read it before you make false accusations. Second I think we should use the technology we have on the border's and coastline's to secure the country. Third. Stop all foreign aid and give it to our people. Fourth. Kick all illegals out and send them to Syria.

Answer 5

Alternative??? Just write another law.

Answer 6

Enforce the laws already on the books!!

Answer 7

When you say civil liberties of Americans? what Americans are you talking about? north, central or south?...

Answer 8

Why not try looking at ' Socrates Cafe Home"

Answer 9

Kick George Bush's *** on live T.V.

Answer 10

have know ideas but like your .