USA PATRIOT ACTAntonio Lopez

Senior Seminar

http://www.hickerphoto.com/american-flag-pictures-8477-pictures.htm

History of the USA Patriot Act

Signed into law on October 26, 2001.

Passed in response to 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Uniting (and) Strengthening America (by) Providing Appropriate Tools Required (to) Intercept (and) Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001

http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/patriot-act-and-acts-of-patriotism

Current State of USA Patriot Act

Extension was passed in May.

Controversy continues.

Polls taken on Feb. 26, 2010 partisan split. 56% think it’s affecting

their liberties.

http://www.slate.com/id/2134215/

Opposing View Points

Already helped prevent attacks.

Drug smuggling & racketeering reduced.

No overt abuse yet, and checks and balances keep us safe.

Violation of Constitutional rights.

Potential for abuse.

Targeting moderate Muslims.

For USA Patriot Act Against USA Patriot Act

Clear Partisan Lines…

Majority of GOP members say yes. Recent drops in

GOP support. Majority of

Democrats say no. Many democrats

voted against the extension.

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2011/02/22/democrats-republicans-change-their-views-on-patriot-act

Obama’s View

* In 2006 he argued that the act had good intentions but needed revisions.

He hasn’t made many statements on the issue however he is in favor of the act.

But you already knew that, because he signed it into law on May 26, 2011.

http://webconferencingcouncil.com/?p=950

On The Issue: Ron Paul

Against the extension.

Dislikes the power given to the government.

Thinks the act is futile.

http://webconferencingcouncil.com/?p=950

On The Issue: Michele Bachmann

Bachmann voted for the reauthorization of the Patriot Act. Bachmann

supporters pushed for a rejection.

Stated that it was an appropriate measure to secure information.

http://michelebachmannforpresidentin2012.blogspot.com/

On The Issue: Rick Santorum

Voted for the extension of Patriot Act. Did this despite

his followers dislike of the violation of basic liberties.

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/2011/06/06/rick-santorums-troubling-views-on-science/