The U.S.A. P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Act, or the Uniting (and) Strengthening America (by) Providing Appropriate Tools Required (to) Intercept (and) Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, provides for the violation of basic human rights enshrined in our constitution. It effectually nullifies the fourth amendment rights against search and seizure for "terrorism suspects". The Act represents a partial return to the McCartyist policies of rooting out communism through baseless evidence. This near-martial law in response to a war on terrorism gives non-elected officials unconstitutional power, and weakens American democracy. Moreover, invades the privacy of Americans without leading to much successful interception of terrorism.



