Title: Constitutional Rights Foundation
Headings: Articles
Articles
BRIA 19 4 a The Patriot Act: What Is the Proper Balance Between National Security and Individual Rig
The Patriot Act and Privacy
The Debate Over the Patriot Act
For Discussion and Writing
For Further Information
Patriot Act Background
Critics of the Patriot Act
Defenders of the Patriot Act
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A C T I V I T Y
National Security and Freedom

Content: We are at war," Ashcroft says, "and we have to do things differently than we did before." He points out that the only purpose of the Patriot Act is "to prevent terrorists from unleashing more death and destruction." Ashcroft also argues that the courts and Congress still safeguard the constitutional rights of Americans. Public opinion has consistently supported the Patriot Act. An August 2003 Gallup Poll asked whether the Patriot Act goes too far, is about right, or doesn't go far enough in restricting people's civil liberties. Only 22 percent responded that it goes too far. Forty-eight percent said it is about right, and 21 percent answered that it does not go far enough. In June 2003, the attorney general called for another law to further strengthen the powers of law enforcement to fight terrorists. Called "Patriot Act II" by critics, the proposed new law would, among other things, enable the government to ask a court to revoke the citizenship of any American who provides "material support" to terrorists. The courts are just beginning to review the constitutionality of the Patriot Act.