[ Wednesday ]
Security At What Cost
The USA Patriot Act, Public Law No: 107-56, has received a great deal of attention recently, from small towns to state legislatures. And the concerns are real.
Imagine walking into the public library and reading up on current events, or accessing the Internet to follow a discussion thread. What if you want to know more about the biological or chemical weapons threat, and you access Internet sites that have that information available? Or you check out a book on the subject? Authorities could obtain that information on you without a court order, if they so desire. As a result, many libraries have posted warning signs at their check-out desks and Internet sign-up registers.
The original bill was written to enable authorities to track terrorist suspects in a timely manner, without having to go through the traditional court channels, and theoretically, speeding up the process without becoming bogged down in paperwork. While most citizens would agree to that, civil libertarians are concerned that the law is so broadly written that it invites abuse. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) proposed, then withdrew the request, that Congress make the law permanent, as it is due to sunset December 31, 2005.
MM [18:25]
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