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THE PATRIOT ACT, ILLUSTRATED
Oct. 28th, 2011 09:32 amPeople sometimes ask me why I complain about the Patriot Act.
I shall now explain with the aid of this handy infographic.
( Handy! Also, large! ) ]
IMPORTANT POINT: This is a bipartisan law. Only one Congressman voted against it (a Democrat, FWIW), and both sides of the aisle have repeatedly voted to renew the “temporary” provisions in it. Presidente Obama has repeatedly backed every renewal.
That said, it’s also worth mentioning that when Presidente Bush signed the renewal bill in 2006, he added a signing statement saying the White House could use the Patriot Act however it liked regardless of whatever rules or limitations on its use were implemented, and furthermore didn’t have to explain its actions to anyone. Presidente Obama didn’t do that when he renewed the PA (though Bush did have the courtesy to actually show up for his renewal signing).
Another point worth raising: while the PA was passed 45 days after 9/11, the first draft was introduced just eight (8) days after 9/11, with the final draft finished 21 days after 9/11. Fear will do that.
Probably the biggest reason to bring all this up is that America will be stuck with this law pretty much forever – which is significant when remembering that this law was introduced in a mad rush of post-9/11 fear with the assurance that it was, above all else, a temporary measure with an expiration date (albeit one that could be renewed indefinitely) for as long as it took to win Teh War On Terrorz.
This is a thing worth remembering with any law that gives the govt more power in the name of exchanging liberty for safety – they’re a lot easier to pass than they are to repeal (the occasional Supreme Court ruling notwithstanding).
Legislation nation,
This is dF
I shall now explain with the aid of this handy infographic.
( Handy! Also, large! ) ]
IMPORTANT POINT: This is a bipartisan law. Only one Congressman voted against it (a Democrat, FWIW), and both sides of the aisle have repeatedly voted to renew the “temporary” provisions in it. Presidente Obama has repeatedly backed every renewal.
That said, it’s also worth mentioning that when Presidente Bush signed the renewal bill in 2006, he added a signing statement saying the White House could use the Patriot Act however it liked regardless of whatever rules or limitations on its use were implemented, and furthermore didn’t have to explain its actions to anyone. Presidente Obama didn’t do that when he renewed the PA (though Bush did have the courtesy to actually show up for his renewal signing).
Another point worth raising: while the PA was passed 45 days after 9/11, the first draft was introduced just eight (8) days after 9/11, with the final draft finished 21 days after 9/11. Fear will do that.
Probably the biggest reason to bring all this up is that America will be stuck with this law pretty much forever – which is significant when remembering that this law was introduced in a mad rush of post-9/11 fear with the assurance that it was, above all else, a temporary measure with an expiration date (albeit one that could be renewed indefinitely) for as long as it took to win Teh War On Terrorz.
This is a thing worth remembering with any law that gives the govt more power in the name of exchanging liberty for safety – they’re a lot easier to pass than they are to repeal (the occasional Supreme Court ruling notwithstanding).
Legislation nation,
This is dF
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