StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

The Violations of the US Constitution: the Civil Liberties and Freedom - Assignment Example

Cite this document
Summary
The paper describes the American public that was viewed as an enemy no less than the terrorists in the Middle East and in Iraq. The paranoia that ran through the White House left Americans vulnerable to the same tactics used against the enemies in Iraq and elsewhere…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER96% of users find it useful
The Violations of the US Constitution: the Civil Liberties and Freedom
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "The Violations of the US Constitution: the Civil Liberties and Freedom"

The War on Terror: Assault on America The War on Terror has been fought on the twin frontlines of Iraq and the American public. Many of the policies, procedures, and methods used in Iraq have been sustained by a secret war against the civil freedoms that Americans have held dear since the Revolution. In fact, it would be illogical to assume that the Bush administration could exploit the use of torture, the suspension of the Geneva Convention, and the detention of enemy combatants in violation of international conventions, while maintaining transparency and the ability of Americans to offer legal protests.

In fact, Americans were treated as the enemy, and surrendered a significant piece of their civil liberties. George Bush was new to Washington, and a rookie in the big league world of defense secrecy, but he had a friend in Dick Cheney. The mood in the White House was set by Cheney who was "Chauffeured in an armored motorcade that varied its route to foil possible attackers" (Mayer 5). The paranoia of Cheney made a potential enemy out of all Americans. In the dark days following 9/11, this sense of fear and mental panic set the domestic agenda for the next 8 years.

Every citizen was a potential terrorist. The hastily passed Patriot Act gave the administration the tools they needed to hamper any form of legitimate protest. The freedom of assembly was repealed under the act and severely limited "permits for public gatherings, or limiting access to public spaces" (Wekerle and Jackson 38). In the eyes of George Bush, vis--vis Dick Cheney, every American was an enemy and no one could be trusted. The Bush administration was literally able to suspend the constitution, not only in regards to foreign policy, but also the domestic agenda.

These are no doubts in regard to their complete disregard for the rule of law. According to a top CIA official, "they had plans to put detainees on a ship, sailing in international waters. That way they would never have to put them on trial. They could manipulate the legal process" (qtd. in Mayer 147). If Cheney's paranoia drove him to fear all Americans, then he had no plans on stopping with foreign detainees. It would not be a far reach to soon see anti-war protestors or environmentalists sailing in international waters, never to be tried, and out of sight of the American mainstream media.

In fact, it has been the media's failure to challenge the Bush policies that has been the greatest threat to our civil liberties and human rights. America has a long tradition of a free press and the power of public outrage. However, even the New York Times developed a fear of the Bush administration "that had chilled the pursuit of truth even inside the most esteemed daily newspaper in the country" (Mayer 226). The end result would be that "not a single administration investigation had questioned the top policy makers in the war on terror" (Mayer 306).

The Bush administration hid behind a wall of paranoia at home and in Iraq, and our free press had given them the run of the camp. In conclusion, the American public was viewed as an enemy no less than the terrorists in the Middle East and in Iraq. The paranoia that ran through the White House left Americans vulnerable to the same tactics used against the enemies in Iraq and elsewhere. Where was the protest It was lost in the free press's reluctance to challenge the administration on the issues of torture and illegal detention.

The US government will treat its people the same as it treats its enemies. The violations of the US constitution have been a full frontal assault on the civil liberties and freedom of all Americans. Works Cited Mayer, Jane. The Dark Side: The Inside Story of How the War on Terror Turned Into a War on American Ideals. New York: Random House, 2008. Wekerle, G R., and P S. Jackson. "Urbanizing the Security Agenda: Anti-terrorism, Urban Sprawl and Social Movements." City 9.1 (2005): 33-49.

Read More
Tags
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“The Violations of the US Constitution: the Civil Liberties and Freedom Assignment”, n.d.)
The Violations of the US Constitution: the Civil Liberties and Freedom Assignment. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/politics/1527000-political-science-bachelor-essay
(The Violations of the US Constitution: The Civil Liberties and Freedom Assignment)
The Violations of the US Constitution: The Civil Liberties and Freedom Assignment. https://studentshare.org/politics/1527000-political-science-bachelor-essay.
“The Violations of the US Constitution: The Civil Liberties and Freedom Assignment”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/politics/1527000-political-science-bachelor-essay.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF The Violations of the US Constitution: the Civil Liberties and Freedom

Securing America and Protecting Civil Liberties

According to Kollar (2004), the enactment of the USAPA was a source of many threats to the liberties of the us citizens.... The government had to shift order and freedom in favor of its ability to address the conditions which were a threat to the well-being of the nation (Ji, 2003).... Running head: Securing America and Protecting civil liberties Securing America and Protecting civil liberties Introduction The US government came up with stringent measures following the terrorist attacks in 2011....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Freedom of Press

Furthermore, the civil liberties that allow for freedom of expression and belief, associational and organizational rights, rule of law, and personal autonomy without government control are intrinsically linked to the degree of freedom of the press.... Democracy involves free, fair and regular contestation for political offices and freedom of the press is an implicit requirement for free and fair elections (Sachs, 2007, 2).... freedom of the Press freedom of the press is the constitutional right to communicate and express oneself spontaneously through the electronic media and published materials without the control of government or other bodies of potential domination....
5 Pages (1250 words) Term Paper

Role of Evidence in Civil and Criminal Cases

A main issue in the civil and procedural law in criminal cases is the extent to which either side has to create revelation for the other.... The criminal duty of revelation and the civil idea of detection are two totally distinct actions and they exist for various reasons.... In any criminal actions there can be opposing interests, for instance national security or they require to defend the observers who are at risk of reprisals or to maintain the secret police techniques for examining crimes, which have to be weighed against the liberties of the accused....
6 Pages (1500 words) Research Paper

Basic Concepts of Criminal Law

here is an intrinsic relationship between civil liberties and the due process of the law, both procedural and substantive.... The concept of due process, whether substantive or procedural, is enshrined in the us constitution and comprises nothing less than a fundamental right.... As Bryer (2005), a constitutional law scholar, explains, the concept of procedural due process of the law is immediately expressive of the fundamental freedoms which the us constitution spells out and, importantly, serves to ensure that governments do not transgress against the legal rights of their citizens and that courts and judges, acting independently of the government, ensure that citizens receive their due rights....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Supreme Court Case of Significance

(1995, 1) is an example of a Supreme Court case which presented violations of the provision on freedom of speech.... As a “blueprint for personal freedom and the hallmark of an open society, the First Amendment protects freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition” (Buchanan, 2010, par.... Buchanan presented these provisions in concise and abstracted terms, as quoted to wit: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances” (Buchanan, 2010, par....
8 Pages (2000 words) Term Paper

Taxing of Civil Rights - Pros and Cons

So it may sound a bit unusual to discuss taxes in relation to the civil Rights issues, but there is a certain amount of overlay.... That being said, it is entirely possible for taxes to violate the civil Rights of the citizens of the United States.... Levy in his book “the civil Rights Movement” gave a chronological list of all the incredible work done to gain Civil Rights for all the people who live in this country.... From this review "Taxing of civil Rights - Pros and Cons" it is clear - if due to a violation of civil rights of some Americans a precedent is created, then the next time it can be much greater....
5 Pages (1250 words) Literature review

Freedom Of The Press, Democracy, And Democratization

Furthermore, the civil liberties that allow for freedom of expression and belief, associational and organizational rights, rule of law, and personal autonomy without government control are intrinsically linked to the degree of freedom of the press.... Democracy involves free, fair and regular contestation for political offices and freedom of the press is an implicit requirement for free and fair elections (Sachs, 2007, 2).... The political rights depend on the degree of freedom of the press....
5 Pages (1250 words) Term Paper

Aspects of Free Speech

This paper outlines limitations on freedoms of speech, implications for civil liberties on freedom of speech, free speech, and federalism, implications for civil rights on freedom of speech.... The coursework "Aspects of Free Speech" describes freedom of speech.... It is important since it mitigates the possibility of one harming another in the name of freedom of speech.... Insight on freedom of speech became an issue way in the 6th and 5th century BC....
7 Pages (1750 words) Coursework
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us