America, Still "Land of the Free?"

Renewal of the Patriot Act


http://www.aclu.org/blog/national-security/unmasking-secret-law-new-demand-answers-about-governments-hidden-take-patriot

There is nothing patriotic about the Patriot Act which gives the U.S. government nearly free reign on how to define a "terrorist" and how to interpret the legal ways to spy on such a person or organization.  What happened to our so-called cherished Bill of Rights, that protects our freedoms like the freedom of speech and the freedom from illegal search and seizures?  Why didn't Congressional representatives require accountability from the President and his Administration for providing detailed warrants to request such information.  At this point, it seems only to be reported back at the convinience of Obama's people.


Notice, "request" is the word I'm using when I talk about getting warrants for spying on people.  Precident dictates that one request information, not demand it tyranically, assuming the authority you carry is above the law, which many in Washington affirm is status quo in this post-911 era.  American citizens have their rights guaranteed by the Constitution, so the government cannot simply aquire any private information about a citizen at its own whim or leisure.  That's not what we are about.


If we become a "Big Brother" authoritarian-controled country, then we are creating more of dictatorship within our own borders.  Such a path, if continued, can only lead to extremes the likes of which would resemble Col. Gaddafi's regime of Libya, a government controling its population by killing segements of them.  Given our official stance on ousting that regime, it would be hypocritical if we didn't also correct our own government's actions.  It is much more patriotic and sensible to defend the Constitution and the human rights protected by it.  We cannot allow for America to become a police state.