What are the pros of the USA PATRIOT Act?
351744
I know this is the most popular thing in the US but it has done SOME good...\n\naround 310 arrests with nearly 200 convictions or guilty pleas
121780
Pros - it makes us think we are safer\nCons - We wont be safer.  The criminals will still get the weapons illegally and the innocent will not be able to defend themselves.
383683
The reason is that more people are affected and those rights affect more individuals.  It is not necessarily true.  The Patriot act can be viewed as supporting community rights, though I don't agree that it does.
51221
Unfortunately, the current administration is adept at using labels to disguise the real intent of laws and other actions. For example, the "Clean Air Act" actually encouraged more pollution that before. The Patriot Act encourages violations of our constitution and a strengthening of the executive branch. Some aspects are worthwhile, but the name makes it difficult to object to its details without being called unpatriotic. Sad to see the stifling of legitimate criticism. \nAs far as a better title, perhaps the Surveillance Act?
733356
If I lost any rights from the Patriot Act, I haven't noticed.  I have nothing to hide.  I'm not plotting againts our government.  Nor am I sympathizing with terrorists.  So, what's the big deal?  If it's not affecting you, why worry about it?\n\nDon't forget, the Patriot Act was the first act in recent history to pass unanimously in both houses of congress.
574647
im afraid of that.  they called it the patriot act so we wouldall feel bad for hating it?? huh?? well i dont feel bad.  thats just creepy.  just think about it.  you could be being watched right now, and not know it, and thats not even against the law because its the law thats doing it...its not fair. were gonna all feel like prisoners soon.
319630
The evidence collected by the NSA, for example, when monitoring traffic from an enemy in some other country contacting some one here had better be admissible in court or we are all in danger of the next 9/11. The patriot act gives us the tools necessary to (hopefully) prevent terrorists\nfrom doing us any more harm here or abroad. Had Clinton had that available the first time the twin towers were attacked, we may have prevented 9/11 from ever happening.
784844
1)sorry england takes that one\n2)sure\n3)ya so \n4)what about in god we trust\n5)lol have you read the patriot act\n6)ya that worked so well during the bush admin\n7)see number 5\n8)what about germany in the 40's???\n9)you have killed more people then anybody else, (Horoshima ring a bell)  I don't think its a good point.\n10)  Notice how many of your statements have conflicting terms.  I think this adds but takes away from your arguement.\n\nSo wasn't freedom of speech designed to protect my right to say this also.  Do I beleive everything I wrote, no, but I also do not agree with everything you wrote.  Fear blind patriotism it leads you to follow without question.  Remember there are other amazing countires in the world each one feels it is the best for different reasons.
133942
I am going to leave this question open ended.  I was going to say that what makes this country so great is that it enables us the ability to speak up and tell our elected officials what is wrong and that something needs to be fixed.  However I can see a minor encroachment on our civil liberties when it comes to our National Security.  I do not believe that any of our rights should be take away, but I believe that we live in different times now.  It is sort of an unfortunate thing.
16871
The Patriot Act did no such thing.  Before, and after, the Patriot Act, any offense committed by a citizen and prosecuted by the government was a public record, and it could be accessed by anyone who requested information about it.\n\nThere are two ways that something does not appear on your public record.  The first is if the offense is made non-public at the time of the hearing.  This happens with some incidents involving minors, or first-time drug possession disputes, or other offenses.  If a court determines you are eligible for a non-public record, the court may seal the record and make it available to the public only upon a good-cause showing to the court.\n\nIf you have exceeded a certain number of years since an offense took place, you may request to have your record expunged.  A court may determine that your record should no longer bear the hallmark of a minor infraction from many years ago.\n\nDepending on your state, the length of time may vary.  Otherwise, any and every criminal offense you commit, misdemeanor or felony, will be available to the public upon request at any time, to anyone who asks.  The Patriot Act did not change this.  You'll have to consult state law or the court where the conviction took place to request it expunged.
850640
yes they do have more power than they advertise. since 9-11 the government has passed things such as "The Patriot Act" and "terror Watch". Terror Watch allows the government to essentially spy on law abiding citizens when that is forbidden in the constitution. The Patriot Act allows the government to tap phone lines and check phone records on again law abiding citizens and the ability to search        cars,homes and businesses without a warrent which is also contradictory to the writting of the constitution.
995377
Well, there's the Freedom Of Infomation Act, so any one can get any infomation they want except those pretaining to state security. Even criminals make use of this before launching their activities.
942743
I don't think in the next 2-5 years, but yes I think the US is going that way.\nIf one reads history as to how those Nazi, Fascist, and Communist came to power, it was mainly supporting a "just cause" supported by the people.\nI would think the Patriot Act falls under one of those "just causes" by creating fear and the people so willing to give up freedoms  that our forefathers fought for in lieu of feeling secure when they are no more secure than yesterday. Then yet, the government has more control over you. Try updating your drivers license which will get a new issue date on it and then try opening a new bank account even with a US born and raised birth certificate and the Act won't allow you to. What kind of "just cause" is that to prevent me from changing banks? I was in the military and fought for this country in an unpopular war and I'm afraid that some day soon big brother can come and just pick you up and make you disappear without question. Just like the Nazi's did.
968556
The pro is that it gives us the right to own firearms. I don't know any cons.
872660
The Patriot Act itself only intrudes on some areas of privacy. That's bad enough, but it doesn't, in and of itself, take away any constitutional rights.\n\nThe problem is that many in power (at least, as of Monday) felt that constitutional protections can and should be ignored, if they might possibly result in people being safer. However, that's unconstitutional, by definition. \n\nWe only have those rights we can defend. And only those freedoms we choose to defend. Once we have abandonded those rights and those freedoms, they are lost. Once, and for all of us.\n\n~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\n\nIn honor of Pastor Martin Niemöller:\n\nFirst they came for the 6th Amendment, but I hadn't been accused of a crime, so I didn't object to denial of counsel.\n\nThen they came for the 4th Amendment, but I wasn't talking to anyone overseas, so they wouldn't be monitoring me.\n\nThen they came for the rest of the 4th Amendment, but I only called my mother, so there was nothing suspicious in my phone records.\n\nThen they came for the 1st Amendment, but I never associated with criminals, so I didn't worry about being convicted purely based on what other people might do.\n\nThen they came for the 14th Amendment, but I never really understood the rules for Due Process (and wasn't allowed an attorney), so I didn't object.\n\nThen they came for the rest of the 1st Amendment, but I never told anyone about what the government was doing, so again I remained silent.\n\nThen they came for the 5th Amendment,  ......  and I no longer had the right to remain silent.
328382
A matter of weeks, maybe days. If Bush chooses to ignore the protections in the PATRIOT Act - which he has signed an affidavit saying he has the right to do - then there will be no protections, given how cowed everyone has been about taking him on regarding the NSA wiretaps.
983891
The problem with the Patriot Act is that while it does provide a clause allowing judicial oversight, Title IV Section 412 includes provisions for judicial review in detentions, and Title II deals with warrant requirements for electronic surveillance, it does not make this oversight mandatory.\n\nThis means that these provisions are allowed to go unenforced. You see, the Executive Branch is in charge of this enforcement. So what we are seeing now and basically have a wide-open window to is when the laws get in the way of what Bush wants to accomplish, he just chooses not to enforce them.\n\nAlso, the 4th, 5th and 6th Amendments are limitations on government action, and apply to anyone under US authority or control. Nowhere does it mention 'citizen'.\n\nAs far as warrantless wiretapping, 50 U.S.C. §1801 et al. Warrantless wiretapping is illegal under FISA if any US citizen or resident alien is a party to the conversation. Also 18 U.S.C. § 2511: Compliance with FISA "shall be the exclusive means by which electronic surveillance... may be conducted". The Patriot Act runs head to head into legalities here.