Patriot Act Extended 4 Years

On Thursday, May 26th, specific provisions of the Patriot Act were extended for four additional years by President Obama, only hours away from their expiration. These provisions include roving wiretaps (ability to perform surveillance on multiple phones), searches and seizures of business records (library records, for example), and surveillance of "lone wolves" (people suspected of terrorist-related activities but not linked to a specific group).

For those of you needing a brief history and rundown of the Patriot Act, here are the details in a brief nutshell:

1) The Patriot Act officially launched in March 2006 but was set into motion right after September 11, 2001.

2) The Patriot Act allows the government full access to your financial records, telephone and email communications, medical records and more without your permission.

3) The Patriot Act allows the government to search your home and business without your permission and knowledge and without a court order.

The Patriot Act has spawned much controversy, especially as it violates many of our Constitutional Rights as Americans; including but not limited to Freedom of Speech, Freedom from Unreasonable Searches, Right to Liberty and more, which can be found in greater detail here at CCAPA (Concerned Citizens Against the Patriot Act).

American citizens can't open bank accounts or obtain library cards without providing a physical address. Gone are the days when you had the freedom to rent a mailbox for safety and security reasons for fear of stalkers, solicitors and dangerous people, because now they know where you live. Ever think about borrowing books from the library to gain knowledge of history or specific notable figures? Think again, because if they government doesn't like your choice of reading material, they can come to your home and ransack your house or even arrest you.

Banks will accuse you of laundering money and being a terrorist if you don't provide a physical address and the computer rejects your rented box address, even if you opened your bank account with a pathetic $50 and you come from an American, patriotic family with a military background.

Considering Osama bin Laden was suspected to be behind the September 11, 2001 events, you would think his death would make American safer, but this is far from the case. Under the Patriot Act, the government wants to keep intimate tabs and surveillance on all Americans for years to come.

What are your thoughts on the extension of the Patriot Act?

Sources:
CCAPA, Patriot Act vs Constitution, http://www.scn.org/ccapa/pa-vs-const.html
Wikipedia, USA Patriot Act, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_PATRIOT_Act
The Christian Science Monitor, Patriot Act: three controversial provisions that Congress voted to keep, http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/0527/Patriot-Act-three-controversial-provisions-that-Congress-voted-to-keep