What essential liberties, for the sake of temporary safety, have Americans given up, if any?

Question

WCSteel; There are no enumerated rights to privacy, yes. However, the judicial body has disclosed and interpreted a certain amount of right to privacy. I think the most controversial and debated ruling was the Roe-v-Wade.

Opad; do you consider a terrorist attack an invasion on the USA's soil?

Answer 1

For one thing, a presidential order in 2002 allows the NSA to spy on Americans without first obtaining a warrant:

Amendment IV: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Then there's the Military Commissions Act of 2006 that eliminated Habeas Corpus:

Article 1, Section 9 of the US Constitution: The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it.

Whether or not either of these has affected you personally is irrelevant. Nor does the argument that one has done nothing wrong change the fact Constitutional rights have been lost.

Answer 2

Not really any liberties have been given up.

There is no right to privacy ( At least not what they complain about that have been violated) outlined under the US Constitution.

There is are laws against Illegal search and seizure but those don't apply in cases of probable cause.

Fact is if you are commiting a crime or are suspected of commiting a crime in your house the police can enter the house without a warrant if it is deemed an emergency.

If a person was raping and murdering a 10 year old and could be seen from the window. Would you really want the police to get a warrant to break down the door and stop it?

Alittle extreme, I know, but it goes the same with making phone calls to suspected terrorist overseas.

Plus once you leave your house ( On Public display, Telephone and internet count since they leave your house) You no longer have the right to privacy since you are technically over the public airwaves.

I had to add this. It just proves my point. Sept 11th can and should be deemed as an invasion. and is a public safety issue.

Article 1, Section 9 of the US Constitution: The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it.

Answer 3

By way of a myriad of laws -- essentially the Patriot Act and a number of "Executive Orders" incorporated within the last three years -------

The right of privacy
The right to Free and unfettered access
The right to know the details of what our government is actually doing (loss of the freedom of information act)
The right to due process
The right to be free of unjustified search and seizure
The right to be free of investigations that have no court orders or warrants attached
The right to be safe from wars declared without consent of Congress

And, these are but a beginning list
With the dismantling of the Constitution in the name of National Security -- the terrorists have done INDIRECTLY what no other foreign power has EVER been able to accomplish in this country ---- destroy a free and unfettered lifestyle -- and reduce the once carefree nation of America into a group of paranoid citizens screaming for their government to make them into sheep for safe keeping !!!

Those that would give one moment of freedom for a single second of security --- deserve niether freedom NOR security !!

Answer 4

Most Americans have not given up anything. But if you say the wrong thing or are in the wrong place at the right time,you could give up everything. If they suspect you of being a terrorist they can throw you in jail and you have no rights whatsoever. All it would take is for you to say something, intentional or not.It is also much harder to travel outside the country. We have no privacy,but most people will never notice this.

Answer 5

clinton took away my right to be free from a terrorist attack. the supreme court took away my right to choose my own law in roe v wade.

Answer 6

None, but tons of money, 2 trillion so far for the two wars

Answer 7

for all the cries of lost liberty by posters here, i have yet to hear of even one person relate any personal experience here of any loss of freedom they have actually experienced themselves.

Answer 8

Americans have not given up any liberties. They have been snatched away by Bush & Co.

Answer 9

None.
Nothing.
Nada.

Thank you to the US Militaries ----OOH RA

Answer 10

Far as i can see, none.