What freedoms have I lost? What negative impact has the Patriot Act had on the average American?
2007-03-19 14:32:41 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
My life is the same as it was 10 years ago, are the men in black at your door, cause they sure aren't at mine!
2007-03-19 14:38:37 · update #1
Strattz -
Freedom of speech - you're posting on here, aren't you?
Freedom to assemble - did you miss the protests happening?
Freedom of privacy - people hiding in your closet?
Bulk Gun Powder? - what the heck you need with bulk gun powder?
Have the men in black visited you?
2007-03-19 14:43:58 · update #2
It is easier for a police dept to get a search warrant for your home than it is for the F.B.I to invoke the Act. There are many safe guards in the Act and many more processes that the F.B.I must go through. A Police Dept. can get a search warrant for your home on an unsubstantiated anonymous tip
2007-03-19 14:47:39 · answer #1 · answered by ohbrother 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
If you read the Patriot Act it allows the FBI to go through your records, like your library records, without a warrant. For example, the Patriot Act allows FBI to have the authority to obtain client records from banks by merely requesting the records in a "National Security Letter." To get the records, the FBI doesn't have to appear before a judge, nor demonstrate "probable cause" - reason to believe that the targeted client is involved in criminal or terrorist activity. This completely violates the Constitution's Fourth Amendment. Then we have the Military Commissions Act of 2006. This legislation in its early stages caused so much controversy that a lot of the Senators and judges said it contradicted the Bill of Rights. And it does, not only does this legislation allow the President to suspend the Habeaus Corpas, Lincoln did this, however the Supreme Court in 1866 ruled he had no constitutional right to do it, but it also allows him to define what torture is. And could even allow him, or future Presidents, to define what treason is. He can lock anybody up as an unlawful enemy combatant without charges being brought against them. Even U.S. citizens. Of course, as citizens they will have access to courts, but under procedures alien to the Bill of Rights. The Real ID Act allows for a national ID card. If you do not believe me read the bills from the Library of Congress website. All of this violates the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment rights. These are the rights that you have lost.
2007-03-19 21:57:53 · answer #2 · answered by j 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The writ of habias corpus, the right to due process of law. Now think and think hard. The next president is most likely to be a democrat, if as a repuglican speak out against them you hypothetical could be arrested and held without access to the legal system, for an indefinite length of time. While this is not likely to happen it could, it is now possible with the military act. To me even the loss of privacy because of the patriot act has a potential to be abused. Both of these is a loss of freedom whether they affect you or not.
2007-03-19 21:43:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
You have the freedom of speech to an extent so thats not really free speech, say something truly bad about the president even if its in a joking manner n c what happens, so how can I be free to say what I want when theres limitations to what I can say? Not such a thing as free speech then right? Thats just one example.
2007-03-19 22:15:00 · answer #4 · answered by DFatOne 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think some of the things said about Bush and the related administration on Y!Answers is proof enough that yu libtards haven't lost anything but your damn minds.
Meanwhile, in conservative land I still have all of my rights, and I know that there are conservatives in office who fight to continue those rights.
2007-03-20 01:18:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Habeas Corpus,
Freedom of speech,
Freedom to assemble,
Freedom of privacy,
Freedom to buy bulk gun powder
2007-03-19 21:36:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 3⤋
I would have said none a week or so ago, but the FBI's abuse of the Patriot Act is disturbing.
2007-03-19 21:38:15 · answer #7 · answered by kscottmccormick 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
None, but if you believe the kool aid that you have lost any then you have fallen for a posturing for a political parties scare tactic of the sky is falling for votes.
2007-03-19 21:42:04 · answer #8 · answered by garyb1616 6 · 2⤊ 4⤋
4th amendment, 8th amendment, some of the 1st amendment just ask some journalists, habus corpus, ect
2007-03-19 22:41:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
None.
The liberals are to worried about the criminal's rights, just as they always have been.
2007-03-19 21:44:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋