During times of war, it is understandable that the Government will be more apt to protect its people. In the United States, terrorism has become a major concern. This has come to light more recently after the 9/11 attack in 2004. Americans have been told that terrorism is their biggest enemy. Though in the attempts to obtain security, the people of the United States are giving up their freedoms and others are having those same freedoms taken away from them.
Ernest Hemingway once said, “Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime.” This is a very profound statement, especially as our nation is still in the midst of a self-proclaimed “War on Terror”. What happened to our country and all of the innocent victims, on 9/11 was virtually unimaginable. However, this attack on our own soil has prompted many actions from our government that might be considered to be an affront to both our constitution as well as our judicial processes. Prisoners of war and even persons suspected of being involved with a terroristic group can be legally detained and held, for as long as we want, simply because we are in a “war”. If we are violating our own constitutional guidelines
I know what they do is for the benefit of everyone in this country and it is extremely hard to make the decision’s that is going to affect the way we live and how we live. This documentary relates to foreign policy to the different branches of government and how every decision is made. This relates to private parties like the ACLU to protect our civil liberties that were lost as a result of policies that expand the government’s power to invade people’s privacy and right to the First Amendment. It made clear that certain things that were unlawful like racial profiling and stopping anyone under suspicion was “ok.” Top Secret America is one of the many examples of what we do not know about our government. We do not take the time to pay attention to what is happening in this economy.
The threat of terrorist attacks changed American culture immensely; the devastation wakened the need for protection and a sense of security. Dramatic measures were taken in order to protect this country, so foreign relations were severely affected. Post 9/11 government saw the “link between immigration and security”, and that by changing foreign policy it would “reduce the likelihood of future attacks” (Krikorian 567).The safety measure in airports were countless from metal detectors to full body scans. “The immigration system has being penetrated by the enemy”, the officials realized which led to unfair accusation of innocents (Krikorian 568). “Overzealous officials” grill suspicious foreigners “to the point of near panic” (Khan 559).
Horton lists a series of Americans who have been convicted since 1902 to crimes of torture, notably involving waterboarding. He draws attention to the fact that the Bush administration admits to consenting to the practice of waterboarding and that this form of torture is a severe criminal offense in the United States. In order for democracy to prevail, the law makers cannot be the law breakers (Horton, 2008). This is the most important of Horton’s arguments. Once a governing body pursues illegal actions, there is potential that all laws will ultimately be ignored and the democratic values of a nation will disintegrate.
Running head: THE RUN-UP TO THE WAR IN IRAQ Angela Johnson Professor Skolnik English 128.05 12 May 2009 Assignment # 12 Abstract The war in Iraq is believed to have started because of the attacks on the World Trade Centers on September 11, 2001. After the attacks on the Pentagon and both the World Trade Centers, George Bush devised a story to tell the Americans so they would be on his side and so they wouldn’t refute his plan. Bush came on television and told Americans, “You’re either with us or against us in this fight against terror.” This was one of the tactics Bush used to reel in Americans to fight in this war against Iraq with him. Bush wanted to
“The Detention Scandal” is an editorial taken from the America magazine. In this article, the authors show how national security is used as an excuse to keep the prisoners on the Guantanamo Bay. The authors try to prove how the fear of terrorism has blinded the U.S. government that it has made them deny the basic human rights. Everyone sees the wrong doings in Guantanamo Bay and knows it needs to be shut down but the fear of government to lose their “suspected” enemy combatants make it impossible. The authors use the different components of persuasion throughout the article.
Controversial acts were passed in an effort to control terrorism, the Patriot Act. The Patriot Act was passed by George Bush shortly after 9/11 to make it easier for the government to access personal information like; phone conversations, emails, and other private information. It also gives them the power to detain anyone who they suspect of terrorism for up to one week. The freedoms and privacy of all Americans have been curtailed because of this act. Even though most Americans are not terrorists, simply knowing that the government has these new powers and abilities to invade on their privacy is bothersome
Should George Bush be impeached?DS: Do you think George Bush should be impeached? NS: I think there is a case for him to be impeached, but I don’t think it would be a good idea. The reason I say there is a case because partly under the Constitution it’s high crimes and misdemeanors, which are not defined and the latest precedent we have is having a blow job in the Oval Office and lying about it is considered to be a high crime and misdemeanor. Well, Bush, has clearly lied to Congress, the American People, to the media about much more serious infractions and violations of the Constitution. He’s had a view that as Commander-in-Chief he can do whatever he wants, that he’s above the law, that he doesn’t have to abide by the laws that are duly
Critics also said the bill would provide a blueprint for the establishment of police state and “Big Brother” tactics, doing away with civil liberties by opening the door to widespread electronic surveillance, and constraining personal freedom. For example, anyone identified as a terrorist or even a possible associate of a terrorist might be subject to surveillance, interrogation and secret detention. If the president determined the suspect is an “enemy combatant,” that person – even a U.S. citizen- may be held indefinitely, without access to a lawyer or family members. If the suspect had visa status, he/she might be interrogated and then deported after a secret meeting. Overall, the impact on personal freedoms would depend on the person involved (Van Bergen,