Private Life? or Private Lie?

In the U.S., we have a privilege that not many can enjoy in other parts of the world and its "freedom of speech, religion, among many other types of "freedoms and privacies". Wether or not we actually have such things is the critical question, one that many of us probably fail to ask ourselves. Do we really have such "freedom?" or is it all an illusion and we are being controlled by the so called Democratic government? Or does it really matter in an age where everything goes public on the social media even before we know it?

Following the 9/11 attacks, within 48 hours the Bush administration proposed the "Patriot Act" and passed it into a law within six months later. Among the ten articles of the act, it is stated that Intelligence agencies such as the NSA have the power to hear, track, and monitor all of our phone and email conversations. This law gave these agencies the absolute power to oversee everyones phone conversations if needed as a way to prevent any future terrorist attacks.The law also allowed the government to oversee and confiscate property of any foreign who is believed to be working with terrorist group who posed a threat. Among the articles, it was also stated that local and state law enforcement agencies will also have the power to request any information needed. Our "freedom" and "privacy", as we so often like to praise, has been questionable ever since the Patriot Act was passed.

 Under the circumstances that the act was proposed and approved, for many it could seem understandable why it was passed so quickly, but was it really revised as a law should be before becoming something that will affects the lives of millions of people in this case worldwide? Some of the critics stated that this law was not properly revised and that it was approved without taking into consideration its effects and consequences.

Through the "Patriot Act" our rights as citizens are put under the scope. We no longer have total freedom  as we used to, and our civil liberties are at risk. Yes, we can still freely express ourselves, the only difference now is that someone will probably be watching you. Even thought it can be for the greater good of security, we are now being overseen by a greater power at all times.

But, does it really matter if we are being watched, heard, and or tracked down by the government in an age where almost everything that happens in a person's life is published freely by them on social media sites? Is it really an issue of privacy when people now-a- days post everything out there?

 

Our generation is one that likes to post pictures of every meal, and everything, at all times, yes. But this shouldn't mean that the government should be allowed to monitor everything. People choose to put out to the world what they wish, The Patriot Act does not even give you a choice as to what is being observed and dissected. 

D.S.