The Surveillance State How close are we to 1984?

Vocabulary FISA NSA Wiretapping Patriot Act

Order vs. Freedom How far should the government go to protect its citizens from foreign threats? And What civil liberties are embedded in our constitution to prevent government abuses?

Clash between two constitutional principles 4th Amendment – no unwarranted search and seizures. President is commander in chief – war power; additionally, the President in Article II is given so called emergency powers “to preserve, protect and defend” offers immediate power to maintain order and safety .

National Security Agency NSA $8 Billion annually 35,000 employees 6,500 languages More PhD’s in math than anywhere else Largest employer in Maryland

What the NSA does

“Vacuum surveillance”

What can the government see? Every purchase you make with a credit card, every magazine subscription you buy and medical prescription you fill, every Web site you visit and e-mail you send or receive, every academic grade you receive, every bank deposit you make, every trip you book.

Their purpose The NSA was created to monitor foreign intelligence. They are prohibited from spying domestically

The watch list List of people who are under suspicion Prior to 9/11 there were 20 names Over 500,000 today

The Fourth Amendment “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act FISA Created in the wake of government abuses A secret court determines if someone can be under surveillance. The court has turned down only 3 requests in 30 years.

Crossing the line After 9/11 President Bush ordered the mass unwarranted eavesdropping of Americans. Violation of FISA is a felony The telecommunications industry cooperated with the NSA and turned over emails This June the Senate voted to grant the telecommunication industry immunity The extent of the eavesdropping will not be known for some time

Violations of the 4th Amendment the tendency of government so often is to regard opponents of its policies as a threat. No American should be subject to surveillance without a warrant from a neutral judge.

What is the difference between a democracy and a totalitarian government? No spying without a warrant No one is above the law Constitutional protections of civil rights Spying on ordinary citizens Law applies only to ordinary people No protections

Spectrum The President should not have the right to order the assassination of U.S. citizens without due process. The government should not be able to listen to my phone calls unless they have a warrant. No individual’s information should be private if the nation’s security is at risk.

THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS A WARRANT TO SPY ON CITIZENS. Resolved THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS A WARRANT TO SPY ON CITIZENS.