EFF profiles USAPA
Posted in Patriot Act on May 21st, 2004EFF: Let the Sun Set on PATRIOT
Apologists justified the broad, civil-liberties corroding powers granted to the government under the USA PATRIOT Act by arguing that they would be used to put terrorists behind bars. Yet several provisions can be used against Americans in a wide range of investigations that have nothing to do with terrorism. Others are too vague, jeopardizing legitimate activities protected under the First Amendment. Worse, the Department of Justice has worked to expand and/or make permanent a number of these provisions — despite the fact that they were sold to the public as “temporary” measures and are scheduled to expire, or “sunset,” in December of 2005.