noun: a radical who employs terror as a political weapon; usually organizes with other terrorists in small cells; often uses religion as a cover for terrorist activities

The Act was passed by wide margins in both houses of Congress and was supported by members of both the Republican and Democratic parties. Opponents of the law have criticized its authorization of indefinite detentions of immigrants; searches through which law enforcement officers search a home or business without the owner’s or the occupant’s permission or knowledge; the expanded use of National Security Letters, which allows the FBI to search telephone, e-mail, and financial records without a court order; and the expanded access of law enforcement agencies to business records, including library and financial records.

Originally posted by Izarith

What I am attempting to help the judges and the readers following this debate is that we, Americans of today's generation, are no better than spoiled brats who have defaulted on their responsibilities of keeping watch on the very people who created and passed the will of the people into the law as the Patriot Act. This was done due to the lack of courage needed to hold true to such responsibilities.

Originally posted by intrepid
No, it is because the terrorists had instilled a sense of fear in the people that they were willing to accept it. If that hadn't been the case Dubya would have been bounced from office in 2004. Rights are important to Americans but the fear remained.

Originally posted by intrepid
Public views on future-oriented policies may be disproportionately influenced by distressing experiences from the past.

Originally posted by intrepid
First off are these Socratic questions? And secondly, if they are could you be clearer so that I can give your questions the answer they deserve?

Originally posted by Izarith
Some nut-job referenced in an Iconic fashion does not create fear in the hearts of the contagious no more than the word Boogieman does in the heart of an adult. Children on the other hand need nightlights like the Patriot Act in order to Sleep at night. And just like children need mommy and daddy to tell them how to live, so too do the American people so long as they do not meet the requirements needed to function as a true Free and democratic society.

Originally posted by intrepid
"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin.

The Articles were created by the chosen representatives of the states in the Second Continental Congress out of a perceived need to have "a plan of confederacy for securing the freedom, sovereignty, and independence of the United States." Although serving a crucial role in the victory in the American Revolutionary War, a group of reformers,[1] known as "federalists", felt that the Articles lacked the necessary provisions for a sufficiently effective government. Fundamentally, a federation was sought to replace the confederation. The key criticism by those who favored a more powerful central state (i.e. the federalists)[citation needed] was that the government (i.e. the Congress of the Confederation) lacked taxing authority; it had to request funds from the states. Also various federalist factions wanted[citation needed] a government that could impose uniform tariffs, give land grants, and assume responsibility for unpaid state war debts ("assumption".) Those opposed to the Constitution, known as "anti-federalists," considered these limits on government power to be necessary and good.[dubious – discuss][2] Another criticism of the Articles was that they did not strike the right balance between large and small states in the legislative decision making process.[dubious – discuss] Due to its one-state, one-vote plank, the larger states were expected to contribute more but had only one vote.

The Articles were replaced by the US Constitution on June 21, 1788.

Originally posted by Izarith
Yes and the fear still remains today. The people need the Patriot Act, they need to feel that something can be done to stop Terrorism. And just like 9/11 the second some one, or a group of people, remind the people of America that the world is a very dangerous place by committing another act designed to cause fear they will inevitably demand that more of their rights get taken away simply by letting it happen.

Yes Intrepid the terrorist “Have all ready won”, but this happened long before the Patriot act was signed into law. We lost the war on Terror the day we forgot what it meant to be an American, this happened long before 9/11 or the Patriot Act.

This is why the Patriot Act, a law that limits the personal Freedoms of the people, is so important in preventing the terrorists from winning. We need to lie to our selves, we need a show, the illusion that we sill have a fighting chance. And we need this because of the fear that still remains in us as a country.

-Socratic question 1.) Has not the limitation on our Freedoms in this land we now call America been a trait seen throughout our entire history dating back before the Constitution of America to the Articles of Confederation?

When they learn what is in the act, many Americans find some of the details unsettling. The USA TODAY survey of 501 adults Feb. 16-17 found that 71% disapprove of a section that allows agents to delay telling people that their homes have been secretly searched.

And about half of those surveyed are uneasy about two other parts of the act: one that allows the FBI to obtain records from businesses, including hospitals, bookstores and libraries, and another that permits federal agents to ask financial institutions whether terrorism suspects have accounts with them.

The Patriot Act, rushed through Congress 45 days after the 9/11 attacks, was controversial from the start.