Ender's Game
Abby Cole English 1
In today’s society, one of the debates is whether it is ever justified for governments to interfere in the private lives of citizens. In some parts of the world, it happens all the time, and it’s accepted. This also happens in America, although many groups are fighting against the laws that allow it. It also was a major issue in the novel we read over the summer, Ender’s Game. I believe that, in some cases, it is justified for the government to involve itself in the private lives of citizens. As I mentioned before, government does have a small role in our personal lives in America, although some people might not realize it. After the tragedy of 9/11, the government stepped up efforts to prevent another terrorism attack on the U.S. Specifically, in The 9/11 Dilemma: Freedom vs. Security, it said “... Congress united to pass the Patriot Act, which expanded the government’s powers to conduct counterterrorism surveillance and investigations.” This gave the government the ability to do many new things, such as to monitor phone calls, conduct surveillance on anyone, and to go through household trash. In the second reference document I was given called Preserving Life and Liberty, it described more of the governments rights with the Patriot Act. It stated that the government could have access to library records, and could perform searches without first obtaining a warrant. I believe that the government still has a right to perform those actions because it is for the overall safety of the people. Organizations such as The American Civil Liberties Union are protesting and criticizing the Patriot Act. I think that their arguments are not justified. Most of the citizens in the United States are not trying to perform a terrorist attack or break criminal laws. The people that are, are the ones that are affected by this act. If a citizen has nothing to hide, then they have nothing to worry about because they are not being
In today’s society, one of the debates is whether it is ever justified for governments to interfere in the private lives of citizens. In some parts of the world, it happens all the time, and it’s accepted. This also happens in America, although many groups are fighting against the laws that allow it. It also was a major issue in the novel we read over the summer, Ender’s Game. I believe that, in some cases, it is justified for the government to involve itself in the private lives of citizens. As I mentioned before, government does have a small role in our personal lives in America, although some people might not realize it. After the tragedy of 9/11, the government stepped up efforts to prevent another terrorism attack on the U.S. Specifically, in The 9/11 Dilemma: Freedom vs. Security, it said “... Congress united to pass the Patriot Act, which expanded the government’s powers to conduct counterterrorism surveillance and investigations.” This gave the government the ability to do many new things, such as to monitor phone calls, conduct surveillance on anyone, and to go through household trash. In the second reference document I was given called Preserving Life and Liberty, it described more of the governments rights with the Patriot Act. It stated that the government could have access to library records, and could perform searches without first obtaining a warrant. I believe that the government still has a right to perform those actions because it is for the overall safety of the people. Organizations such as The American Civil Liberties Union are protesting and criticizing the Patriot Act. I think that their arguments are not justified. Most of the citizens in the United States are not trying to perform a terrorist attack or break criminal laws. The people that are, are the ones that are affected by this act. If a citizen has nothing to hide, then they have nothing to worry about because they are not being