Is the "PATRIOT ACT" an act of Hitler-ocracy?

Question

Is it OK for our government to hide behind this "PATRIOT ACT" to invade the privacy of others?

Answer 1

It is remarkably similar, as are several other "coincidences," to the kinds of measures the Nazis imposed on Germany in the 30's and 40's. It is interesting to note that the measure was not drawn up by citizens, or even Congress, but rather came from some mysterious source other than the people, to protect us. An act such as this should most certainly be a topic of discussion among the people at large, before it is agreed upon, not drawn up and passed before the public has any notion about what has just been imposed on them.

Answer 2

To me it is a very dangerous precedent to set and is morally and legally wrong. Even worse is the military act which takes away Americans citizens right to habias corpus which is a basic rule of law. While this president and the out going congress may or may not have had good intentions in passing this legislation has little to do with the overt challenge of abuse of it. These acts could be used to jail people that just simply disagree with the leadership's politics and could change America's freedoms forever. I am not saying that it will happen I am just saying it could, the road is open to it.
Another point is that when we change our lifestyle or our freedoms in any way we are accommodating the terrorist as that is just exactly their objective, to give up ones freedoms in the name of terrorism means the terrorist have won.

Answer 3

The "Patriot Act" is very similar in scope to the "Reichstag Fire Decree", used by Hitler to rescind habeas corpus and suspend many civil liberties, including the privacy of postal, telegraphic and telephonic communications, and warrants for house searches, orders for confiscations as well as restrictions on property.

Answer 4

Halliburton Inc, isn't getting it rather is share of Iraqi and afghanistan exploration oil, gas minerals, employer, ought to be stressful after promising them plenty whilst Bush became around, appears like international agencies and chinese language agencies are transforming into the deal, shares in Halliburton Inc might easily fall and it will harm his pocket very badly

Answer 5

Stop comparing stuff to Hitler. No American is gonna gas Jews. This makes you look like you are to stupid to have a logical argument. I dont have a problem with data mining every company you buy stuff from does it! No one cares about that but when the government does it to find terrorist there evil. If there ever is a real war believe me our rights will be taken away. The important thing is when and if we get them back after.

Answer 6

During one of his State of the Union Address, President George E. Bush stated that Islamic terrorists hatred for the United States was born out of their hatred for our way of life. He was refering to the U.S. democracy, freedom of speech and other civil liberties. Yet, at the same time, he imposed laws which stripped people of the very same rights he said earlier which made the U.S. great. The Patriot Act is a very dangerous piece of legistration. Under the Patriot Act, anyone in the U.S. can be detained as an enemy combatant. It doesn't matter if you are a citizen or not, as long as you are on U.S. soil. Anyone can be detained (a.k.a. incarcerated) indefinitely without any formal charges or access to legal representation, which is in conflict to the U.S. Constitution. Under the U.S. Constitution, you have the right to a speedy and fair trial, you have the right to be judged by your peers and you have the right to face your accuser. Well, the Patriot Act pretty much nullifies everything in the U.S. Constituition. In addition, U.S. law does not allow for prosecution by association. For example, a member of your church starts bombing abortion clinics and is later apprehended. He can be charged with murder. However, you can not be charged with the same crime just because you attend the same church as he does. The same goes for mosque, just because one member gets involve with terrorists, it does not mean everyone in the church is then culpable. Well, the Patriot Act pretty much nullifies that one as well.

The Patriot Act goes beyond just arresting and incarcerating supposed terrorists. It also allows the U.S. Intelligence Agencies broad powers to surveille Americans, which includes wiretaps, intercept postal mail, activity on the Internet...etc. Normally, a U.S. Federal agency can surveille civilians if they have a proper warrant issued by a special Federal judge. Well, under the Patriot Act they don't need one.

I am concern about the Patriot Act because its tramples on the balance of power. It allows the executive branch to control the legislative and judicial branches of the government. Case in point, EFF, a not for profit organization, sued AT&T for supplying personal information for the National Security Agency (NSA). President Bush authorized the NSA to conduct suveillance on the Internet. During the trial, the President Bush wanted to throw out the case because he said the information was a matter of national security. And, under U.S. law, that is legal; however, who gets to decide if the information is a matter of national security? You guessed it President Bush. Normally, it would be the judge's job to decide if it is a matter of national security or not - not the president. So, here we are, President Bush can make laws, pass laws and even judge law. He can pretty much do whatever he wants.

My concern with the Patriot Act is that the executive branch can do anything they want under the pretense of national security. Basically, the people are giving up their rights to the government because of fear. You labled this as Hitler-ocracy and you might not be far from the truth. Hitler blamed Germany's problems on the Jews. He singled them out as a threat much like President Bush is doing on Muslims.

There is another period in American History in which Americans civilians gave up their civil rights out of fear. It was called the "Red Scare." When the biggest threat to the U.S. was Communism, in particular the USSR. The government would detain and persecute all those they claimed were communist sympathizers. Watch the movie "Magestic" starring Jim Carrey which is an accurate portrail of the era. Watch the movie "V for Vendatta," starring Natalie Portman, where the government secretly committed acts of terrorism and blamed Muslims for those attacks. Out of fear the public willingly gave up their civil liberties. Now, with the Patriot Act, fiction is fast becoming reality.

Answer 7

Yes, because they are not hiding behind it. They are using it to protect the average american. They aren't invading the privacy of just anyone. They have probable cause

Answer 8

The privacy of the terrorist calling into this country? The privacy of the people that the terrorist are calling? You bet it's OK.... the government would be derelict in it's duties if they didn't.

Answer 9

Yes, if you're not trying to blow up airplanes, buildings or hope to one day wear a suicide vest for Allah, then you have nothing to worry about. They can listen in on my phone calls all they want.

Answer 10

yes