The Tomahawk is a place for students of 10th grade Honors English at Wetumpka High School to gather, discuss, reflect on, and connect to, relevant issues in American Literature.
Monday, February 9, 2009
How far should "wire tapping" really go?
Should the government have the power to screen all communication, even when the country is not at war?
The government should have the ability to monitor all communication if there is reason to believe unlawful activity is taking place. This is important even if the country is not at war. Throughout history, wire tapping was allowed if a legal warrant was obtained. Wire tapping has resulted in the capture of spies and prevented other crimes from taking place. Since the terrorist event of 9/11, wire-tapping has been performed without a warrant to increase the chances of preventing another terrorist act. President George W. Bush proposed that this use of wire-tapping helped to keep Americans safe.
There have been many debates over the national security issue related to wire-tapping. Democrats and Republicans in the end were in agreement with President Bush and passed the law to give the executive branch more authority for eavesdropping. It will cover people abroad and at home who are believed to have terrorist ties. Even Obama voted for it when he had originally been opposed. He also believed it was in the best interest for the protection of Americans.
Anyone who witnessed first hand, the aftermath of the terrorist attack in New York would recommend that the government do anything within their power to prevent that type of attack from happening again. Because of that attack, many lives were lost and others suffered permanent disabilities. Many children lost parents and will grow up without a complete family. Air travel will never be the same. Increased security measures has resulted in longer check-in times due to the thorough examination of all luggage. This also means that travelers have to arrive at the airport much earlier than ever before.
Many of the civil liberty unions are opposed to wire-tapping as they say it violates the rights of free speech and privacy of Americans. However, if terrorists are given the ability to come in and take over our country, Americans will have no rights. It is much better to offend a few people than jeopardize many American lives. Since President Bush has implemented the use of wire tapping without warrants for intelligence purposes, there have been no further attacks on the U.S.
If the government were made to go back to obtaining warrants every time, there could be delays in obtaining valuable information that might stop an attack. No country should have to go through another 9/11 event.
Should Government Have the Power to Screen All Communications?
The government should not have access, or the power, to screen all communications here in the U.S. Not only is it a violation to a citizen’s personal space, but it is also a lack of respect on their part. This new program could possibly solve most of our terrorist attacks here in America, but it will not stop it entirely. And, for the fact that the decision has gone world wide across the state, the ones that the Federal government are trying to capture, are going to take the hint, and stay clear from the tapped programs. Which, well, would result to a complete fail on the program, and the terrorist will still be roaming. Under the control of President Bush, a new spying law was passed, which could possibly give the Federal government access to tap into everyday internet communication networks such as Skype, Gmail, and AIM, was signed. It sat in office, before it was rushed through the Congress in less than a weekend, and then signed by that Sunday. This new program gives the government straight access to all of your communications, including cell phones. The law is designed to help the President track down and capture terrorist. This law, or the Protect America Act, is better known as a “government eavesdropping” law. This law will be held for a total of six months, to test and see if this program will be successful or not. During this time, the government will listen in on every typed and/or verbal communication out there. That means, in terms many will understand; the federal government will be able to listen in on your private lives. Even under a human of simple status, that is a bit too far. Under the Bill of Rights, it gives us the freedom of speech. That gives the U.S the right to speak their minds without being monitored. This also enrages the citizens. If they want to keep their lives away from peeping eyes, they should have the right too. This conflict could cause much riot and mayhem, and could also cause the communication company to lose population count, because many people will delete the program due to the fact that the government is listening in on their private conversations. Those communication networks will lose service because the amount of user use will diminish. Program after program will be created for the use of the user so they will not be spied on by government officials. Creating a “peeping Tom” for the web will not stop communication because people will find a way to engage in these conversations any way possible. In conclusion to the matter, government should not have the power to tap communication. It will lead to a national failure, and will solve little. The Protect America Act, well planned and widely accepted by high officials, could possibly be a well put together plan. But will not stop terrorist communication as widely as President Bush thought.
I believethat wire tapping should go only as far as spying on conspirators. If someone is plotting against the government, I believe that they have the right to spy on them. Think about it like this: say you knew that someone was going to try to kill your family. What would you do? You could hire a private eye. I know I would be doing all that I could to try and avoid the situation and get the conspirators caught. I know most people will say that this is a violation of their constitutional rights, but I say if the government knows that you are conpiring against them,then they should have the right to spy on you and thwart the attempt. That is how I feel about wire tapping.
The government should have the ability to monitor all communication if there is reason to believe unlawful activity is taking place. This is important even if the country is not at war. Throughout history, wire tapping was allowed if a legal warrant was obtained. Wire tapping has resulted in the capture of spies and prevented other crimes from taking place. Since the terrorist event of 9/11, wire-tapping has been performed without a warrant to increase the chances of preventing another terrorist act. President George W. Bush proposed that this use of wire-tapping helped to keep Americans safe.
ReplyDeleteThere have been many debates over the national security issue related to wire-tapping. Democrats and Republicans in the end were in agreement with President Bush and passed the law to give the executive branch more authority for eavesdropping. It will cover people abroad and at home who are believed to have terrorist ties. Even Obama voted for it when he had originally been opposed. He also believed it was in the best interest for the protection of Americans.
Anyone who witnessed first hand, the aftermath of the terrorist attack in New York would recommend that the government do anything within their power to prevent that type of attack from happening again. Because of that attack, many lives were lost and others suffered permanent disabilities. Many children lost parents and will grow up without a complete family. Air travel will never be the same. Increased security measures has resulted in longer check-in times due to the thorough examination of all luggage. This also means that travelers have to arrive at the airport much earlier than ever before.
Many of the civil liberty unions are opposed to wire-tapping as they say it violates the rights of free speech and privacy of Americans. However, if terrorists are given the ability to come in and take over our country, Americans will have no rights. It is much better to offend a few people than jeopardize many American lives. Since President Bush has implemented the use of wire tapping without warrants for intelligence purposes, there have been no further attacks on the U.S.
If the government were made to go back to obtaining warrants every time, there could be delays in obtaining valuable information that might stop an attack. No country should have to go through another 9/11 event.
Jessica Stone
Should Government Have the Power to Screen All Communications?
ReplyDeleteThe government should not have access, or the power, to screen all communications here in the U.S. Not only is it a violation to a citizen’s personal space, but it is also a lack of respect on their part. This new program could possibly solve most of our terrorist attacks here in America, but it will not stop it entirely. And, for the fact that the decision has gone world wide across the state, the ones that the Federal government are trying to capture, are going to take the hint, and stay clear from the tapped programs. Which, well, would result to a complete fail on the program, and the terrorist will still be roaming.
Under the control of President Bush, a new spying law was passed, which could possibly give the Federal government access to tap into everyday internet communication networks such as Skype, Gmail, and AIM, was signed. It sat in office, before it was rushed through the Congress in less than a weekend, and then signed by that Sunday. This new program gives the government straight access to all of your communications, including cell phones. The law is designed to help the President track down and capture terrorist. This law, or the Protect America Act, is better known as a “government eavesdropping” law.
This law will be held for a total of six months, to test and see if this program will be successful or not. During this time, the government will listen in on every typed and/or verbal communication out there. That means, in terms many will understand; the federal government will be able to listen in on your private lives. Even under a human of simple status, that is a bit too far. Under the Bill of Rights, it gives us the freedom of speech. That gives the U.S the right to speak their minds without being monitored.
This also enrages the citizens. If they want to keep their lives away from peeping eyes, they should have the right too. This conflict could cause much riot and mayhem, and could also cause the communication company to lose population count, because many people will delete the program due to the fact that the government is listening in on their private conversations. Those communication networks will lose service because the amount of user use will diminish. Program after program will be created for the use of the user so they will not be spied on by government officials. Creating a “peeping Tom” for the web will not stop communication because people will find a way to engage in these conversations any way possible.
In conclusion to the matter, government should not have the power to tap communication. It will lead to a national failure, and will solve little. The Protect America Act, well planned and widely accepted by high officials, could possibly be a well put together plan. But will not stop terrorist communication as widely as President Bush thought.
I believethat wire tapping should go only as far as spying on conspirators. If someone is plotting against the government, I believe that they have the right to spy on them. Think about it like this: say you knew that someone was going to try to kill your family. What would you do? You could hire a private eye. I know I would be doing all that I could to try and avoid the situation and get the conspirators caught. I know most people will say that this is a violation of their constitutional rights, but I say if the government knows that you are conpiring against them,then they should have the right to spy on you and thwart the attempt. That is how I feel about wire tapping.
ReplyDelete