Patriot Act

[IceSage]

Hey Shane,

I was wondering something. You seem to be able to research, and properly clarify a lot of governmental / political stuff that in any other situation, I wouldn't be bothered to learn about. You do a great job at detailing out videos, very educational!

However, I was wondering if you could clarify about the Patriot Act, either in a response or a short video.

Basically, every time I read something about someone getting abused by authorities, someone automatically refers to the "Patriot Act." However, I was wondering if this type of reaction is a bit of a misconception of the act itself. (Or if it's completely accurate.)

For example, I saw a video on YouTube about a pastor who was stopped at a border patrol (Already inside the country, not at the border) who tried every excuse to search this man's car. The man refused to let them search the car unless they provided a warrant, etc. They claimed the dog's sniffed drugs from the guy's trunk, but according to the man, the dogs weren't anywhere near it, and when asked for the dogs to "detect" the drugs again, the authorities refused, twice, once by the pastor's request, another time by the "chief's" (or whoever's) request.

Basically, their course of action was to shatter both windows, slam the guy against his car window, taser him multiple times, and stomp on his head against broken glass.

Anyway, I made a comment, just some rambling, and then some guy responds with "Patriot Act."

As far as I know, the Patriot Act isn't used as a "use whenever, do-it-all excuse" to search a man's car for drugs. Mainly, I thought the act allowed a search if they found out through governmental information, that someone could be a possible threat or terrorist, allowing the government to search and arrest someone without a warrant promptly.

IS THERE a misconception of the Patriot Act, in which every time common border patrol officers or police officers do something without a warrant, or infringe on constitutional rights, it's allowed? Or are the people thinking this completely right?

I've tried to read the act for myself, and it didn't look like something that would be used for common police / border patrols in order to abuse their authority. It looks more like an FBI / NSA using the slightest excuse to quickly take down and spy on people, whether they're a terrorist or not. Not as an excuse for my local cops to come into my home for no reason.

So, was this guy's comment of "Patriot Act" accurate in this particular situation? Or is he applying a misconception?

You've probably seen the video I'm talking about already, but here's a link anyway:

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[MrBogosity]

Thugs like that aren't concerned about what the USA PATRIOT Act says or the legality of their action. They have power, and they know it's extremely unlikely they'll be prosecuted. It's that exact mentality that led to that school raid I showed in Episode 4.

[IceSage]

Thugs like that aren't concerned about what the USA PATRIOT Act says or the legality of their action. They have power, and they know it's extremely unlikely they'll be prosecuted. It's that exact mentality that led to that school raid I showed in Episode 4.

Indeed. But commenters watching this video replied with "Patriot Act" as if that's what it's intended purpose is, and how it can be allowed. I'm aware of the mentality of certain people who have power.

I'm curious as to if the patriot act even has anything to do with a "common border patrol." The person who made the comment tried to convince me that they had every right to, because of "the patriot act." It seems like every time I see a news report or video about people doing something unconstitutional, someone replies, "Patriot Act" as if I'm suppose to go, "Oh, right. Forgot about that." as if we're all to assume the act allows anyone in authority to do whatever they want, without a warrant.

[MrBogosity]

The USA PATRIOT Act isn't any one thing. It's a mish-mash of a whole bunch of different things that different Presidents and various congressmen had been trying to get passed for something like 20 years, and were never able to do so because of public opposition. 9/11 gave them the perfect excuse to sneak all of this in. Don't you think it's odd that they were able to put this lengthy and diverse bill together so quickly?

[IceSage]

The USA PATRIOT Act isn't any one thing. It's a mish-mash of a whole bunch of different things that different Presidents and various congressmen had been trying to get passed for something like 20 years, and were never able to do so because of public opposition. 9/11 gave them the perfect excuse to sneak all of this in. Don't you think it's odd that they were able to put this lengthy and diverse bill together so quickly?

I never knew that. All I knew was that it went through quickly, and the only excuse they could give as to way they let it pass was, "They didn't read it."

[MrBogosity]

I never knew that. All I knew was that it went through quickly, and the only excuse they could give as to way they let it pass was, "They didn't read it."

They use that excuse all the time. And that's why we absolutely need the Read the Bills Act.