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THE QUESTIONS FOR FOCUS #1
Refer to Document #1
1. What was the impetus for the USA PATRIOT Act (Patriot Act)?
2. What pressures were the U.S. Congress under to pass the Act?
3. What does the acronym "USA PATRIOT" stand for? Why was it called this?
Refer to Document #2
4. Look at the summary of the U.S. PATRIOT Act (Patriot Act). What does the Act actually do according to the summary in Document #1: "CRS Report for Congress: The USA Patriot Act: A Sketch"? List three items that you feel are the most significant changes to U.S. law.
Refer to Document #3
5. What concerns do people in the technology field have concerning the Patriot act? See Document #2: Privacy Watching out for Big Brother."
Refer to Document #4
6. Give three reasons why librarians are upset with the Patriot Act. See Document #3: "US Libarians See 'Big Brother.'"
Refer to Document #5
7. Explain what would happen if the nation went to a red terror alert.
8. What are "biometric identifiers" and why is their use a threat to our privacy?
Refer to Document #6
9. Look at the Patriot Act online. What are some of the powers that it gives to our government?
10. How can the Act's powers affect you and your privacy as an American citizen?
11. Does the Patriot Act mention the need of any proof that a citizen is a possible terror threat in order to take advantage of the power the act gives to the government?
Refer to Document #7
12. How does the Patriot Act affect the future of online book retailers? "Patriot Act: A Beacon of Freedom Grows Dim."
Refer to Document #8
13. See the White House web site on the USA PATRIOT Act. What is the White House, or Bush Administration, position on the USA Patriot Act? List the main points that are made in statements and press releases.
Refer to Document #9
14. See the ACLU's site on the Patriot Act. How does the American Civil Liberties Union summarize the power given to the government by the Patriot Act?
15. Go to the ACLU website and click "Summary of the USA Patriot Act." According to this summary, which constitutional amendments does this act break?
16. Look at "New Federal Executive Branch Actions" located in the same place as question #11. What are some things the government has done with its new power given by this act?
17. Click on "ACLU fact sheet on section 215". What is section 215 and how does it affect ordinary American citizens?
18. What was Patriot II?
19. Click on "ACLU fact sheet on surveillance under the Patriot Act." According to this fact sheet, what powers of surveillance does our government now have? Spend any remaining time you have in class on this link. It is quite interesting.
Refer to Document #10
20. See the Newsweek Education Program student essay "Where Do You Stand on the USA Patriot Act?" Do you feel that giving the government more power is a necessary step in preventing future terrorism, or do you agree with its detractors?
Refer to Two or More Docuements under "Additional Web Resources"
21. How do the Patriot Act provisions compare or contrast to "Big Brother"?
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