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onetime2 · 01-29-2004, 05:39 AM

Is it apparent to anyone else that the system of checks and balances is working in the case of the Patriot Act? To listen to some here (and elsewhere) the sky is falling, all our rights are being permanently taken away, and something needs to be done.

In reality, the Act was passed, used, is being challenged, and, in cases where it's illegal, is being invalidated. Seems like something IS being done, the system is working.

It's at least conceivable that the Act was created with the full knowledge that parts or all of it would be rejected by the courts. Obviously this process takes time to work and until it is challenged and rejected, the authorities can clean up the mess that our sloppy border security/intelligence services/last several administrations created by not paying attention to the terrorist threat that's been obvious for decades.

I'm sure there will be arguments that the administration wants to permanently take away citizens rights, that they're not smart enough to do this or that, or that the violation of a single right makes the Patriot Act an evil that can't be overcome by any safety that it may provide. Fine, these could be true as well. To me, in the short term, the Act has likely provided the means for law enforcement to insure that more terrorist attacks didn't occur in the US in the months/years since 9/11. Can anyone imagine the level of fear/panic/economic decimation that another attack or two with similar results soon after 9/11 would have had? Thankfully we will never know.

01-29-2004, 05:39 AM	#73 (permalink)
onetime2 Junkie Location: NJ	Is it apparent to anyone else that the system of checks and balances is working in the case of the Patriot Act? To listen to some here (and elsewhere) the sky is falling, all our rights are being permanently taken away, and something needs to be done. In reality, the Act was passed, used, is being challenged, and, in cases where it's illegal, is being invalidated. Seems like something IS being done, the system is working. It's at least conceivable that the Act was created with the full knowledge that parts or all of it would be rejected by the courts. Obviously this process takes time to work and until it is challenged and rejected, the authorities can clean up the mess that our sloppy border security/intelligence services/last several administrations created by not paying attention to the terrorist threat that's been obvious for decades. I'm sure there will be arguments that the administration wants to permanently take away citizens rights, that they're not smart enough to do this or that, or that the violation of a single right makes the Patriot Act an evil that can't be overcome by any safety that it may provide. Fine, these could be true as well. To me, in the short term, the Act has likely provided the means for law enforcement to insure that more terrorist attacks didn't occur in the US in the months/years since 9/11. Can anyone imagine the level of fear/panic/economic decimation that another attack or two with similar results soon after 9/11 would have had? Thankfully we will never know. __________________ Strive to be more curious than ignorant.