Unfortunately here in the United States we have allowed some Tyrants to be involved in writing law, whereby law has been put above morals or ethics. The gathering of phone numbers and information by the Federal Government was legal; the Patriot Act made it so.

  It has been reported that 99 members of the Senate and 357 of the House voted for The Patriot Act, the vast majority having not even bothered to read it.

The Patriot act and loss of our Freedoms

Long ago Benjamin Franklin stated:
"Those that would trade freedom for security
deserve neither freedom nor security."

  Few seem to have given thought to what can happen when these changes (The Patroit Act) are used against We The People.
  Instead of looking for instant gratification prudence would dictate looking at the affects that changes in legislation can possibly bring 5, 20, 50 or even 100 years from now.
  What follows is some of the fundamental changes to Americas’ legal rights by the Bush administration and the USA Patriot Act after the terror attacks; as listed by the Associated Press.

Freedom of association: To assist terror investigation, the government may monitor religious and political institutions without suspecting criminal activity. (What happens when WE are perceived as the threat).

Freedom of information: The government has closed once public immigration hearings, has secretly detained hundreds of people without charges, and has encouraged bureaucrats to resist public record requests. “Sensitive” information has been removed from government Web sites.

Freedom of speech: The government may prosecute librarians or keepers of any other records if they tell anyone that the government subpoenaed information related to a terror investigation. (What happens when WE are perceived as the threat).

Right to legal representation: The government may monitor conversations between attorneys and clients in federal prisons and deny lawyers to Americans accused of crimes.

Freedom from unreasonable searches: The government may search and seize Americans’ papers and effects without probable cause to assist terror investigation. (What happens when WE are perceived as the threat).

Right to a speedy and public trial: The government may jail Americans indefinitely without a trial.

Right to liberty: Americans may be jailed without being charged or being able to confront witnesses against them. “Enemy combatants” have been held incommunicado and refused attorneys. Plans for military tribunals have been initiated. (What happens when WE are perceived as the threat).

Who would have thought, the TSA
(An Agency within the Department of Homeland Security)
has grown to an agency of 56,000 with
A Police Force exempt from Constitutional Oversight
"The Brown Shirts" have been given & used the power of warrantless searches
We the People are now Perceived as The Threat