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Individual Privacy vs. National Security

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Individual Privacy vs. National Security
Individual Privacy vs. National Security
Pheona Beasily
ENG122: English Composition II
Melissa Eidson
October 9th, 2012

Individual Privacy vs. National Security Given the state of unrest in the world, there may be no other topic more important than the one of individual privacy vs. national security. It is very unfortunate there is no lack of supporting material. In the last 15 years or so this topic has been at the forefront of every discussion, so much so it has become the norm. When these two topics are broken down to its bare essentials, we can’t help but ask ourselves. Are we willing to give up our privacy to save others? And is the need to protect national security more important than individual privacy? National Security has in fact taken on a whole new meaning since 09/11/2001. Because of that new meaning our individual privacy continues to be under fire by our own government. I plan to effectively limit my research paper by focusing on key elements such as new laws that have surfaced since 09/11/2001 implemented by the U.S. Government, the role technology plays in aiding both aspect of individual privacy and national security, and exploring key elements of the Patriot Act. Some may argue. Is one more important than the other? In this research paper, I will provide evidence that may help in your decision making on the importance of Privacy and Security. According to the testimony given by Lieutenant General Michael V. Hayden, USAF. Before the Joint Inquiry of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence 17 October 2002. “Sadly, NSA had no SIGINT suggesting that al-Qaida was specifically targeting New York and Washington, D.C., or even that it was planning an attack on U.S. soil. Indeed, NSA had no knowledge before September 11th that any of the attackers were in the United States. I have briefed the committees on one area where our performance - in retrospect - could have



References: http://www.dhs.gov/ http://www.defense.gov/ http://www.nsa.gov/ https://www.cia.gov/ ------------------------------------------------- Top of Form

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