The Patriot Act Has Been Protecting Us Against Terrorists…er…I mean Drug Dealers?
September 7th, 2011
h/t Reason.com
Although this chart only represents a few years since 9/11, you can bet with the consistent rise in drug related arrests over the past 10 years, the Patriot Act has arrested and convicted more drug offenders each year than terrorist crimes. As we all know marijuana is in the spotlight, waiting for its moment to become legal. With opposing forces from all sides, this plant has also been a victim of the Patriot Act; even though most legalization supporters see it less harmful than alcohol.
The Patriot Act, a piece of legislation that was sold to the American people during a vulnerable time in history, has been used more in the War on Drugs than the War on Terror, and it’s here to stay.
Benjamin Wallace-Wells of the NYMag.com states (original article):
“The authors of the Patriot Act always intended that its provisions would be permanent.”
Never in the lawmakers mind would they think, after the 9/11 attacks the country would return to a “normal” state and then retract any situational laws that were put into place. Nope, we have been stripped of our 4th Amendment rights with no sign of their return. So next time someone justifies the Patriot Act as necessary to protect us from terrorism…ask them how arresting thousands of drug offenders protects our American freedoms and stops terrorism?
