Essay Privacy

Words: 2601
Pages: 11

Many people have debatable ideas of what privacy, invasion of privacy, and privacy rights are, but nonetheless most people have ideas or an opinion on such topics. “Definitions of privacy can be couched in descriptive or normative terms. People may view privacy as a derivative notion that rests upon more basic rights such as liberty or property.” (Moore, 2008, p. 411) Even with the many explanations of privacy rights that we individually claim, we should all be able to agree that to some degree our right to privacy is essential and necessary for our day to day functions. Even with our own opinions, we should all have some kind of understanding as to what the US Constitution states about our privacy rights and what is and is not considered
“The Patriot Act allows the government, with permission from a special court, to obtain roving wiretaps over multiple communication devices, seize suspects’ records without their knowledge, and conduct surveillance of a so-called “lone wolf,” or someone deemed suspicious but without any known ties to an organized terrorist group.” (Farrell, 2010) The history behind this unconstitutional law came during a vulnerable time in our country. Terrorist acts had taken place under the Bush administration and it was important that congress and the president make a decision so that the American people could have a foundation of faith to stand on. Since September 11, 2001 we must continue to ask if this act is really stopping such attacks or challenging the privacy of the many innocent American people. “In the last five years, the odds of an American being killed in a terrorist attack have been about 1 in 20 million (that's including both domestic attacks and overseas attacks).” (Plumer, 2013) According to Brad Plumer, a author of the Washington Post, research under the odds of dying by circumstance, terrorist attacks is below intentionally self-harm, choking, and walking and getting hit by a vehicle. This makes me wonder if my privacy is being revoked for the best of this country or just because the federal government has the ability to. James Carafano, an expert in the homeland security field,