I'm a little late in the argument, but I have to add my two cents. For me it isn't the fact that no, maybe this act has not affected me PERSONALLY (yet). But after reading what this act has given our government the power to do, it's frightening:
So just what does the Patriot Act give the Bush administration the right to do? Well, for starters, it allows the FBI to monitor everything from e-mail to medical records to library accounts, providing frightening access to once private information. They can now legally wiretap phones, break into homes and offices, and access financial records without probable cause.
The Patriot Act broadens terrorism to include "domestic terrorism" which could potentially be used to target activist groups within the country speaking out against Bush's treacherous deeds.
The Patriot Act also disregards attorney-client privilege and authorizes government surveillance of previously confidential discussions.
Immigrants can be detained indefinitely based on suspicion alone, and the Patriot Act aids the excessive amounts of deportations that are taking place.
And you're telling me why should I care!? HAH! I care because it's my rights that have the potential of being violated for stupid reasons like Eminem being investigated by the FBI for saying "I'd rather see the president dead" in one of his songs. I'm sick of the terrorism excuse in this country. Every damn day I turn on the TV I see what state our country is in for terrorism or what the national "potential terrorism level" is. We are constantly being told to be in a state of fear, and we're falling for it.
I think Rekna said it very well...
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My fear is not the patriot act being used against guilty people it is when it is used against innocent people who the government thinks is guilty.
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USA Patriot is an acronym for "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism."
WTF!? I hate the word Patriot being used like this. This act is bullshit and I'll be glad when the moron who signed it into effect is gone.
To read more about what the Patriot Act really says...
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-...=f:publ056.107