...The United States government protects its population from the government itself. This form of political Redundancy is best exampled by the "Bill Of Rights". The 1st amendment grants a religious minority individual "liberty" in a government with separation between church and state. Americans can practice any religion they want. Civil Liberties are a cornerstone to successful democracy, Letting citizens have power over government as it has tendency to become invasive and capital driven. Civil Rights refer to laws put in place to discourage discrimination and encourage equal treatment. These laws can be enacted to protect an effected demographic. The citizens of the United States culturally have always been on the cutting edge of civil...
Words: 1169 - Pages: 5
... How Do Courts Protect Our Liberties? --- For hundreds of years the forefathers of the United States of America had been undertaking the task of creating and constantly amending a constitution that all men shall abide by. Alexander Hamilton, along with other contributors of the constitution, created essays which are better known as the federalist papers. These documents were created as a form of mutual interpretation and moral assurance between the government and its citizens with one major objective, to gain and retain the trust of its citizens. --- It is said within that no state "shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States. A civil liberty is defined as an individual right protected by the Constitution against the powers that be of the government. When our forefathers assimilated to draft the Constitution they anticipated certain belligerencies that might occur between the Federal Government and the individual citizen. It was cause for these concerns that enabled them to include certain civil liberties in the Constitution endowing its citizens with certain inalienable rights. Though civil liberties were put in effect over 200 years ago, over time they have been challenged up until the present day. It wasn’t until the 14th amendment that civil liberties were finally incorporated into state governments. The primary source of civil liberties is found within the first ten...
Words: 918 - Pages: 4
...between civil liberties and homeland security. Belief structures underlying the relationship of liberty and security vary among different political orientations in the United States. The disclosure that the Obama administration surreptitiously accessed phone records and infiltrated the internet activity of millions of Americans, has elevated brand-new questions about the public’s enthusiasm to sacrifice civil liberties in the interests of homeland security. This thread will provide a brief synopsis on how American’s can understand the balancing of a civil liberties perspective...
Words: 981 - Pages: 4
...Civil Liberties: Protecting Individual Freedoms PA582-68021 Fall Session A Audrey Afe-Tuufuli adafetuufuli_college@hotmail.com December 07, 2012 Civil Rights and Civil Liberties: American Freedoms Knowledge and wisdom proliferates today’s society. With the advances of technology, information and intelligence is ubiquitous; thus people are presumed to be well informed and civil. Also, with information and knowledge being infinite and easily accessible, one would gather that men are fairly in the know of the do and don’ts of society. Perhaps they are, perchance not; either or, society is intensely apprised in this day and age provided the countless sources of knowledge and information technology has enabled. An enlightened society is an advantage for a county as informed people contribute optimistically and helpfully make prudent and sensible decisions for its community; knowledge creates a plethora of various opinions; it percolates critical analysis; and furthermore - an enlightened society amps public engagement to question or even create public policies which addresses and resolves pressing societal issues. Though many policies may seem to resolve conflict and placate citizenry challenges, other policies have come under fire as infringing on civil liberties and civil rights. This paper attempts to present policies that have been litigated in the corridors of justice on the premises that they violate American civil freedoms. The Unalienable...
Words: 794 - Pages: 4
...Habeas Corpus and Civil Liberties Rick Green POL 201 Professor Hass January 21, 2013 Habeas Corpus and Civil Liberties Imagine living life without the rights and liberties that Americans have always enjoyed. There are people all over the world that do not enjoy those rights that were cherished by the Framers of the United States Constitution. Some even say there are people under the jurisdiction of the United States that do not enjoy those rights. The War on Terror has brought a new debate to the forefront of American public discussion; what do we do with detained terrorists? Can the United States prove that they are terrorists? Are detainees afforded the same rights as American citizens and what role does the writ of habeas corpus play? The Supreme Court has decided on a few cases and has answered a few questions, but the debate still rages. Under the precedent set by Ex Parte Quirin and the Military Commissions Act of 2006, combatants captured in the War on Terror are unlawful combatants against the United States and therefore do not have the right of habeas corpus. To begin the argument on how habeas corpus and civil liberties relates to the War on Terror, we must first look at the history and the meaning of habeas corpus. Very simply defined, many people view the writ of habeas corpus, “as the ‘writ of liberty’ which ensured that no person could be detained in prison without being put to trial by a jury of his peers,” (Lobban & Paul, 2010, p.257). This simply...
Words: 3003 - Pages: 13
...All those who seek to destroy the liberties of a democratic nation ought to know that war is the surest and shortest means to accomplish it” Alexis de Tocqueville. I personally believe that we do not need to restrict our civil liberties as stated in the Bill of Rights in order to protect American citizens from terrorist organizations. Civil liberties are the personal guarantees and freedoms that the government cannot abridge, either by law, constitution, or judicial interpretation which include the freedom from slavery and forced labor, freedom from torture and death, the right to liberty and security, right to a fair trial, the right to defend one's self, the right to own and bear arms, the right to privacy, freedom of conscience, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, and the right to marry and have a family ( Conner, Sabato, 2011). Yes, it is very important for us to worry about terrorism and to defend our country but it is not necessary for our government to take away our civil liberties in the process. So where does this leave us? Do we let terrorism scare us into losing our civil liberties or do we ignore terrorism and keep our rights? I do not think we have to compromise our safety from terrorism to keep our civil liberties, there has got to be a common ground where everyone can keep their civil liberties and still be safe from terrorism. I believe that restrictions in civil liberties violate the underlying principles of American democracy greatly...
Words: 891 - Pages: 4
...Alexander W. Joel is the civil liberties protection officer for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The job of a civil liberties protection officer is to work with the government's various intelligence and security agencies to ensure Americans' civil liberties and privacy rights are protected. That officer works with a large team of professionals to make sure that US intelligence-gathering and surveillance activities are constitutional and do not violate any laws. There are several layers of oversight for various activities, ranging from laws and agency regulations to oversight boards, congressional committees, and special courts, such as the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Court. These bodies are all charged with ensuring the legality of security programs, and protecting civil liberties and privacy is a responsibility that everyone who works in the intelligence community takes very seriously. Many Americans probably don't know that there is a senior official whose job by law is to help ensure that civil liberties and privacy protections are built into intelligence programs. I am that official—the "Civil Liberties Protection Officer." I engage with the director of national intelligence and other intelligence officials to oversee and guide intelligence activities. I...
Words: 1271 - Pages: 6
...SLO#1 Civil Liberties v Civil Rights People in the United States take for granted the life they get to live. The people in the United States have many rights, two of these rights are civil liberties and civil rights that are key components of why people in the United States get to live their way of life. The text book explains civil liberties as “specific individual rights, such as the right to a fair trial, that are constitutionally protected against infringement by government” (Patterson93). 1 Civil rights is the right to freedom and political thought process. This lets the people of the United States have a voice and participate in their government and...
Words: 667 - Pages: 3
...Civil Liberties and Terrorism Ashley Larman POL201 Instructor Tracy Trunnell 4/22/12 Civil Liberties and Terrorism “All those who seek to destroy the liberties of a democratic nation ought to know that war is the surest and shortest means to accomplish it” Alexis de Tocqueville. I personally believe that we do not need to restrict our civil liberties as stated in the Bill of Rights in order to protect American citizens from terrorist organizations. Civil liberties are the personal guarantees and freedoms that the government cannot abridge, either by law, constitution, or judicial interpretation which include the freedom from slavery and forced labor, freedom from torture and death, the right to liberty and security, right to a fair trial, the right to defend one's self, the right to own and bear arms, the right to privacy, freedom of conscience, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, and the right to marry and have a family ( Conner, Sabato, 2011). Yes, it is very important for us to worry about terrorism and to defend our country but it is not necessary for our government to take away our civil liberties in the process. So where does this leave us? Do we let terrorism scare us into losing our civil liberties or do we ignore terrorism and keep our rights? I do not think we have to compromise our safety from terrorism to keep our civil liberties, there has got to be a common ground where everyone can keep their civil liberties and still be safe from terrorism...
Words: 969 - Pages: 4
...JoAnn McElwaine HIS 167 (26208) Essay #2 The United States government has seen security and preservation of the society as taking precedence over civil liberties. Some civil libertarians are concerned that not abiding by the Constitution will eventually lead the demise of civil liberties. Some even consider this worse than terrorism itself. Even though , as history proves, our government has underestimated our nations security. The United States is in much greater jeopardy from international terrorists that previously believed. We also have to be concerned about terrorists living on our own soil. In the wake of 911, the government signed a law in 2001 called the USA Patriot Act, citing the need for more participation on all levels of security. Law enforcement was given a wider preemptive authority and encouraged to share information. The law was passed with one goal in mind; a safer America. Over the years, some Americans have become concerned that law enforcement restrictions were too invasive, that wire tapings and extensive surveillance was too much of an invasion of civil liberties. Many argued that the Patriot Act affects all citizens personal freedoms and privacy. The government argues that only suspected terrorists are affected by the law. As arguments flare about the proper balance between civil liberties and national security, a recent survey of terror cases show that surveillance such as intercepted communications and the monitoring of e-mail...
Words: 426 - Pages: 2
...PROTECTING CIVIL LIBERTIES IN THE AGE OF TERRORISM Name Institution Professor Date Protecting civil liberties in the age of terrorism Balancing civil liberties and fighting terrorism is a delicate task that is affecting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It is evident that most Americans want the government to fight terrorism and at the same time, efforts against terrorism should not infringe on their civil liberties that are enshrined in the constitution. Polls conducted in the United States reveal that Americans are divided on the issue. Some feel that it is important for the government to safeguard civil rights and liberties than to protect citizens against terrorism, while others feel that it is important for Americans to sacrifice certain liberties in order to fight terrorism. The revelations by Edward Snowden that the government engages in massive surveillance through the NSA (National Security Agency) bring out the urgency of this topic. The passage of the Patriotic Act was the milestone in the fight against terrorism, but it has been controversial from the start. Proponents of this law argue that it is important if the fight against terrorism is to succeed. It is argued that the provisions of the Act empower law enforcement agencies to gather evidence and diffuse terrorism threats. On the other hand, opponents of the legislation view that it gives law enforcement agencies excessive powers and without the lack of restrictions, individual rights will...
Words: 1711 - Pages: 7
...Give Me Liberty! Give Us Suffrage! “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” This famous quote used by Patrick Henry during his Virginia Convention speech was the declaration of the many persons who faced injustice and inequality in America. The United States of America was said to be the land of opportunity and prosperity, but opportunity and prosperity for whom? Terms and conditions were not stipulated upon living in or relocating to America that liberty would only be available to those that qualified. Prior to the 1900’s most of America’s population did not enjoy the full blessings of American Liberty. There were many factors during the 19th century that contributed to being afforded and denied American Liberty. While it was easier for white men with wealth and property to exercise full liberty, the color of ones skin, race, or sex was a hindrance to others wanting to enjoy the benefits of full liberty. During the 19th century, the United States was a “white man’s government.” Whites mainly associated liberty with ownership of property. Therefore, if one owned property, they were entitled to enjoy the benefits of liberty. However, the only persons that owned property prior to reconstruction were white wealthy men. White men in America during reconstruction wanted to keep the “privilege” of liberty to themselves. White men during reconstruction also wanted to keep the right to vote to themselves. According to J. Morgan Kousser “A man with a ballot in his hand is the master...
Words: 1170 - Pages: 5
...today enjoy many civil liberties regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation or ethnic background. The road to earning these civil liberties has been tainted with much pain, tears and suffering. It has not been easy for the different groups represented within the population of Americans to obtain and protect their rights. This essay will recount the bloody paths Americans of all colors had to follow in order to enjoy the civil liberties which so many take for granted today. The origins of civil liberties for the United States dates back to England. The United States has a clean start by including the Bill of Rights in the American Constitution. The Bill of rights at first were the symbolism of American ideals because there was no way of enforcing them until 1803 where in the case of Marbury v. Madison the Supreme Court took action in striking down laws for the first time that were considered unconstitutional. From that point on the Supreme Court established a precedent of wielding the power to strike down any unconstitutional legislation. Marbury v. Madison happened long before the Civil War and before any of the other cases mentioned. However its importance to civil liberties is essential to any civil liberty essays because it was the one case that allowed for the Supreme Court to take action and enforce the bill of rights along with any other law that is deemed unconstitutional. It was this case that brought about the exercise of judicial review in the United States under Article...
Words: 2983 - Pages: 12
...for much longer. The United States of America, self-proclaimed watchdog of the world, does not enjoy any exemption from global threats to peace and prosperity. Those in denial of such threats were rudely awakened to a new reality on the morning of September 11, 2001, when terrorists struck the American financial heart of New York. A seriously stunned country shocked by the level of brutality quickly assembled behind President Bush to pass legislation, known as the USA PATRIOT ACT, to tackle internal and external threats to this nation. Because this new legislation was passed into law with extreme haste, it was controversial immediately. Even though this legislation was passed...
Words: 1763 - Pages: 8
...Gita Shrestha Professor Sherry Sharifian GOVT 2305 September 29, 2017 Civil Liberties and Civil Rights The state of being free where government cannot abridge from any law or judicial interpretation without due process is known as civil liberties. According to Oxford dictionary, “Civil Liberty is the state of being subject only to laws established for the good of the community, especially with regard to freedom of action and speech.” Hence in simple form we can say civil liberty is the freedom or rights we got since we are born. 1 Civil liberties may include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, right to privacy, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly right to fair trial etc. To talk about civil rights, Oxford Dictionary defined,...
Words: 665 - Pages: 3
