http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202434445358&DC_Circuit_Hears_Suit_Alleging_Wiretaps_Surveillance__Again
As stated in the above-listed link (published in The National Law Journal on October 12, 2009), an IT worker on Capital Hill is back in court arguing against the illegal wiretapping by the US Government subsequent to him stating a casual remark about airline security over the telephone.
The initial case, as heard by the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit earlier this year had ruled in favor of the man, however, it is being reheard due to the precedence of a similar case as heard by the US Supreme Court.
The Patriot Act, anticrime and antiterrorist legislation was enacted soon after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks” (Encarta, 2009.) It is my opinion that this piece of legislation should be revised to ensure the privacy and rights of all law-abiding, non-criminal and non-terrorist individuals. However, in today’s society (post 09/11) it is the personal responsibility for all individuals to use common sense regarding any and all remarks to other individuals that may be misconstrued as acts against national security or terroristic threats.
The Patriotic Act, which now “expands the government’s ability to eavesdrop on or to monitor electronic communications, such as telephone calls and e-mail” and makes it “easier for the government to obtain a person’s medical, library, financial, student, or mental health records” (Encarta, 2009.) (Smith, 2006)
“Current limitations are few and the government can obtain private records even of persons who are not themselves suspected of a crime but are simply associated with someone who is under suspicion” (Encarta, 2009.) (Genzlinger, 2007.)
I have never been a fan of “Big Brother” but to avoid another 09/11, I think vigilance is needed.
"Patriot Act," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2009.
Smith, Lisa. "Warrantless Wiretaps and Your EZ Pass." The Humanist Mar.-Apr. 2006: 38-39. Academic Search Elite. Web. 28 July 2009.
This is a great article for this blog. The ambivalence people feel between having their privacy invaded and being succeptible to terroristic attacks is a very real issue in American society today, as well as a challenge to lawmakers and the courts. Like so many of today's complicated issues, there are many shades of gray to consider and weigh carefully when trying to decide which is the lesser of two evils. In my opinion, if the information gleaned can only be used to prevent and/or prosecute terroristic activities, then we should err on the side of caution and monitor suspect individual's personal information. That is the reality we are living in today, and we have to deal with that reality.
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