Following the horrific attacks on New York City and Washington DC on September 11, 2001 the federal government responded in two ways. In the first case, they began a military operation to end the Taliban Regime in Afghanistan that had sheltered Osama bin Laden and the leadership of al-Qaeda. The second response was to create the “Patriot Act” to protect America by increasing the governments right to spy on its citizens. This was clearly a bi-partisan decision passing the House by a margin of 357 to 66[1] and the Senate 98 to 1[2] (with one abstention).
It has been renewed (in the key provisions) under President Bush in 2006 and President Obama in 2011 and 2015 (modified by the Freedom act).
Despite warnings from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the government and its intelligence and law enforcement agencies have successfully argued for the need to spy on citizens to keep them safe. The voices for this power usually drown out those who believe the government has become self-serving and this capability will only protect their political interests.
It was shown during President Obama’s administration various agencies were “politicized” to go after the opposition. For example, the Internal Revenue Agency’s work to restrict “tea-party groups” is well documented.[3] Yet we are to believe the integrity of the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are beyond question. I think it is ironic that an organization housed in a building named for a director who was known to keep derogatory information on his bosses (the Presidents) to ensure his continued role in the agency would claim they never have a political agenda at the very highest levels.
With the drama associated with the release of the partisan memo from the Republican’s on the House Intelligence Oversight Committee, I believe we clearly see the consequences of a politically affiliated DOJ and FBI. I imagine this is only Act One, of what will undoubtedly be a multi-act play.
For me, the real question is “Has the government’s right to spy on its citizens actually kept us safer?” Considering the assaults in LA, Orlando, and Las Vegas I have to question the value of my lost civil protection. Unfortunately, I don’t see that question being asked very often, or very loudly by most politicians on either side, so I guess it’s okay we give up that safeguard.
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