Freedom vs. Security?
Freedom vs. Security?
Place yourself in the safety and comfort of your home, under the belief that “everyone has the right to the use and enjoyment of his property” (Department of International Law), searching, emailing, and talking about things that may be frowned upon by others. Now imagine the raw feelings of fear and deception that would wash over you upon seeing Edward Snowden’s statement on how “the U.S. government is destroying privacy, internet freedom and basic liberties for people around the world with this massive surveillance machine they 're secretly building.” You may initially feel betrayed, but Obama formally announced that the NSA acts solely in the name of safety right? Have we begun to sacrifice the freedom and rights which were granted to us in the 18th century, in the extensive and possibly ineffective chase for national security and safety? According to debate.org, 13/20 Americans argue that freedom is far more important than security, and one member of the website, an average American citizen, argues that “without freedom there is no security, only the illusion that others will protect us better than we can protect ourselves (Sewhat).” It is important to note our freedoms and rights that are being sacrificed in the attempts to strengthen security; considering almost 30 terrorist attacks in the United States or against Americans have occurred since 9/11 (InfoPlease). In attempting to strengthen security and increase safety since 9/11, the NSA (National Security Agency), has violated the fourth amendment of the United States constitution, and with it, infringed upon the rights of persons of the United States of America. The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution is being and has been unlawfully infringed upon by the NSA since 9/11. This amendment grants that citizens of the United States of America shall “be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures,” that these rights
Place yourself in the safety and comfort of your home, under the belief that “everyone has the right to the use and enjoyment of his property” (Department of International Law), searching, emailing, and talking about things that may be frowned upon by others. Now imagine the raw feelings of fear and deception that would wash over you upon seeing Edward Snowden’s statement on how “the U.S. government is destroying privacy, internet freedom and basic liberties for people around the world with this massive surveillance machine they 're secretly building.” You may initially feel betrayed, but Obama formally announced that the NSA acts solely in the name of safety right? Have we begun to sacrifice the freedom and rights which were granted to us in the 18th century, in the extensive and possibly ineffective chase for national security and safety? According to debate.org, 13/20 Americans argue that freedom is far more important than security, and one member of the website, an average American citizen, argues that “without freedom there is no security, only the illusion that others will protect us better than we can protect ourselves (Sewhat).” It is important to note our freedoms and rights that are being sacrificed in the attempts to strengthen security; considering almost 30 terrorist attacks in the United States or against Americans have occurred since 9/11 (InfoPlease). In attempting to strengthen security and increase safety since 9/11, the NSA (National Security Agency), has violated the fourth amendment of the United States constitution, and with it, infringed upon the rights of persons of the United States of America. The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution is being and has been unlawfully infringed upon by the NSA since 9/11. This amendment grants that citizens of the United States of America shall “be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures,” that these rights
Cited: Brennan Center for Justice. "Chart: How 9/11 Changed the Law." Mother Jones. N.p., 9 Sept. 2011. Web. 28 Oct. 2013. . Cohen, David B., and John Wilson Wells. "At Odds with One Another." American national security and civil liberties in an era of terrorism. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2004. 24. Print. Department of International Law. "Organization of American States." American Convention on Human Rights. N.p., 18 July 1978. Web. 17 Jan. 2014. . "Fourth Amendment." Legal Information Institute. Cornell University Law School, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2013. . Greenwald, Glenn . "US Government Claims That 'Nobody ' Is Listening To Your Phone Calls Are Simply False." Business Insider. N.p., 19 June 2013. Web. 28 Oct. 2013. . "Is freedom more important than security?." The Premier Online Debate Website. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2013. . McCullough, David G.. John Adams. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2001. Print. "Preamble." Legal Information Institute. Cornell University Law School, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2013. . "Press Statement." National Security Agency. N.p., 30 July 2013. Web. 17 Jan. 2014. . Rodgers, Paul . "The Ratification Process." United States Constitutional Law: An Introduction. North Carolina: McFarland & Company Inc, 1933. 109. Print. Rodriguez, Gabriel. "Edward Snowden Interview Transcript." PolicyMic. N.p., 9 June 2013. Web. 17 Jan. 2014. . 28 Oct. 2013 . Truman, Harry. Memo to the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense. National Security Agency. 24 Oct. 1952. .