The patriot act sayd that the U.S. Government can tap your phone to hear conversecion you have to figure out wether you are a terrorist or not. What if I'm doing other illegal activity and they tap me can they used that as evidence? Also if our government doesnt trust us, should we trust them, with all this 911 controversy, I really dont know.
2006-09-18 03:25:58 · 13 answers · asked by enano 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I do. If you read the whole thing, it's definitely unconstitutional.
But that's what Bush does best-using the word "terrorists", "war",and "afraid"-to keep the U.S. in fear to get anything he wants passed.
2006-09-18 09:04:08 · answer #1 · answered by Big Bear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe that answerer who mentioned Hurricane Katrina and said there are no coffee cafes being blown up by bombs or in subways, etc. should remember 9/11. And if that other answerer who wrote about the guy who had committed an armed robbery then slammed his car into an occupied building and when on about how she neither cares nor is concerned about the Patriot Act because she has nothing to hide should get out of her house once in a while and try dealing with the government even on a small level and will discover how deep the Patriot Act is allowed to penetrate her life whether or not she has something to hide.
Wake up, people. We have lost so many of our freedoms from the Patriot Act that I don't find it easy to condone it by simply being told it is for our own protection. Yes, I feel the P.A. is unconstitutional. Not in theory but in application.
2006-09-18 11:38:30 · answer #2 · answered by HisChamp1 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, actually it doesn't say that. Read the law for yourself.
FISA (50 USC 180x) and the Omnibus Crime Control Act defined what conversations can or cannot be tapped.
But no, the Patriot Act is not unconstitutional. A few provisions of it were found to exceed Congressional authority in 2003 and 2004, but they were updated and corrected in the 2006 renewal.
As nasty and intrusive and slimy as the Patriot Act is, it is legal.
2006-09-18 12:15:54 · answer #3 · answered by coragryph 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good point, there was an American on this site last week saying they lived in a free country. I lived in America for a while, and I agree with you, the American citizen is as free as we are in the United Kingdom.
Lets look at the word Constitution and what it means roughly...... Constitution is the fundamental laws of state, laying down the system of government, and defining the relations of the legislative, executive, and judiciary to each other and to the citizens.........or, the body of laws and principles according to which the country is governed........or, a system of laws and customs established by the sovereign power of a state for it's own guidance!
Doesn't sound as though the U.S.A. or the U.K. come under these categories, does it. Also No, I do not trust either government, I know for a fact that the police system in Britain is as corrupt as in America. I personally have no faith in them.
I am a Christian, and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and I am filled with His Holy Spirit which tells me right from wrong, I'm talking spiritually now, but what I am getting at is, our countries were founded on the Christian Faith, "In God We Trust" etc. These have become mere words. I know I answer only to God and I'm protected by His Son Jesus Christ. Don't listen to politicians, there is no such thing as an honest one. Just trust in God and He will show you the way and vanquish all your fears and problems. In Christ I Trust"!
2006-09-18 10:58:14 · answer #4 · answered by patch 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It is unconstitutional, they can use the information if you are doing something else illegal. They used the PATRIOT Act in Nevada to listen in on government officials conversations through the OnStar system in the car. They were doing something corrupt and were all indicted. The PATRIOT Act is unconstitutional.
2006-09-18 10:29:57 · answer #5 · answered by Roland D. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You said, "What if I'm doing other illegal activity and they tap me; can they use that as evidence?"
LET'S HOPE SO!
Did you see that special report the other day on the guy who robbed a bank, fled from police, then, seeking to save his own life, ran into a family's house... then got kidnapping charges added to his case? He represented himself in court and put up a very convincing and emotionally moving defense about how he never intended to hurt anyone, but was only seeking to save his own life. He was trying to get the kidnapping charges dropped, since his intent was not to kidnap, but to simply hide from police.
Know what? I believe him. But here's the problem. He robbed a bank at gunpoint. And he had still had a gun. So, regardless of what sob story he had, regardless of whether he intended to harm the dad and his boys or not, he had a gun and he was a lawbreaker. The guy got 40 years in the one state and then still has to stand trial for bank robbing in another state.
Moral of the story and answer to your question: If you don't want to be mistaken for the one crime, don't do any crime.
Unconstitutional? Maybe, maybe not. It doesn't concern me one way or the other. I've nothing to hide.
2006-09-18 10:55:36 · answer #6 · answered by scruffycat 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think the rule that they need a warrant is appropriate and I do not understand why Republicans object to this. The parties have changed roles. GOP used to want to protect freedoms, now it is the Dems in that camp. Weird huh?
2006-09-18 10:28:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When hurricane Katrina hit, everyone cried and blamed the government for doing nothing. They berated the US government for not being preparred.
Yet the Patriot Act is in place as a course of action to identify, prevent, and react to the possibilities of terrorist threats in this country.
If there were no partriot act and we were the victims of a serious attack, the same people whining about unconstitutionality are the very ones who would be screaming that the government did nothing to prevent attacks. They would accuse the government of complacency.
If you are not involved in terrorism or unlawful activity, why should you feel threatened by the Patriot Act? Perhaps it is not the best plan, but it is nevertheless a plan. It is there to protect you.
I hear the words of Jesus here...
"We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn".
When are you going to stop complaining and just be thankful that you are privledged to be part of such a great nation?
Do you realize that you are exercising one of your freedoms right now? In some countries, your door would be kicked in and you would be arrested for simply posting such a query.
There are no bombs exploding in the cafes of America. There are no explosions in subways, theaters, or sports stadiums.
Some people obviously hate us enough to cause havoc. They have the funding. They have the means. Our borders are basically open.
Could it be that he Patriot Act has protected us already?
God Bless America and her Leaders.
2006-09-18 10:47:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋
Yes, unconstitutional
2006-09-18 10:27:54 · answer #9 · answered by hichefheidi 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Beware. Big Brother is watching you !
2006-09-18 10:28:31 · answer #10 · answered by George 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋