After 9-11 in 2001, Congress passed the Patriot Act in an effort to prevent futu

Question

After 9-11 in 2001, Congress passed the Patriot Act in an effort to prevent future attacks. At the time, there were a few groups that protested against the act on the grounds that it was a violation of Americans' 4th Amendment rights which guarantee protection from unwarranted searches and seizures of "...persons, houses, papers, and effects." Ten years later, it became known that the government had been using the Patriot Act to collect data on private citizens. Some government employees were even using their access to the technology to spy on former romantic partners and or acquaintances.

The argument in favor of the Act is to prevent future terror attacks noting that national security is imperative. The argument against the Act is that it is being abused to violate American's rights with opponents noting that the Act failed to prevent the terror attack at the Boston Marathon.

Does national security take precedence over Americans' rights that are guaranteed in the Constitution?

Explanation / Answer

Terrorism is a global menace that has affected the world more than any other activity in the world. Now a days, practically no nation is unaffected from the acts of terrorism. Western countries, most developed ones in particular are the most preferred targets of the fanatics who preach and propagate an ideology of medieval times, and want everyone to comply with their beleifs. It is a clash of civilizations, in which any city, place or person can come under attack from a fanatic terrorist at any time.

To avoid such events, stringent security measures are necessary. They might include random screening and search of individuals and their belongings, keeping an eye on the electronic and other types of communication or financial transactions done by them. This is the very essence of the Patriot act, given the fact that 9/11 was a result of lax provisions in this regards.

While the law in its place is absolutely appropriate. as there is no other way to curb this menace, This is a small sacrifice that people of America can make for their own safety and that of their fellow law abiding citizens. However, misuse of the law by certain mischievous employees is absolutely condemnable and needs to be stopped. It calls for strict monitoring, conviction, disciplinary actions and penalties on those who are found guilty.

It is nearly impossible to search and monitor every individual, hence completely rule out the possibility of a terror attack, but still, it can be minimized with help of small sacrifice and co operation by the citizens. Protection of constitutional rights is the duty of state, but the same state also needs to guarantee their safety also.

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