Today the word "patriot" sparks a different meaning then it did 5 years ago. People now are split on what they think when the word "patriot" means to themselves. One person may think of how great their government has been and another may think the whole system needs changed. Today paying close attention when you hear the USA PATRIOT Act and awkward acronym stands for Uniting Strengthening America by Providing the Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (Act) a 342 page document forced and reluctantly passed in a hurry a month after September 11 by a scared and vengeful Congress. "Appropriate Tools" in this case, means expanded surveillance and monitoring at significantly reduced checks and balances surrounding how these tools are used.
The PATRIOT Act concerns you if you frequent libraries or bookstores, Internet service providers, go to school, go to the doctor, use credit cards or banks, have a lawyer, leave the country, go to jail, belong to an activist organization, read alternative publications, or know anyone who does this (Welch, 3). …
