Spotlight on Grant



Three years ago, when I first pulled Grant out of public school, it was a challenge to get him to write a paragraph, much less an essay. As time has passed, his writing has greatly improved, so it seems fitting that my spotlight on him today is on his writing. Below is his last essay on the Patriot Act.

Say No To The Patriot Act

by, Grant Smither

           Have you heard of the patriot act? It was passed to protect us from terrorism.  It is very unconstitutional and easily abused in many ways. It has been used to spy, silence and capture citizens.

            The patriot act violates our most important rights which are freedom of speech, the right to a speedy and public trial, and the freedom from unreasonable search. The sneak and peak and roving wiretaps provisions allow the FBI to search your house and spy on you without a warrant. The patriot act even allows the FBI to hold anyone indefinitely with no trial or lawyer.

           Some sections are going to expire in a few years, such as section 215 which allows the FBI to use and take anything they want without a warrant whether there is evidence or not. Since this section will expire in three years, when that time comes, encourage your local government to vote against it. Almost all bills like this are passed, because people are scared.  So you should not give into the fear in those times.

          If more laws like this are passed we could lose all of our rights. It is already happening now. The first amendment is already almost gone. Since the patriot act happened the 4^th and 5th amendments are completely gone, because the government is allowed to hold you indefinitely with no lawyer or warrant. Soon you might be able to be arrested for saying a bad word or simply thinking of a crime. The patriot act is nothing but a worm eating away the constitution. This is what Thomas Jefferson meant when he said ‘’they who sacrifice a little essential liberty for temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety.’’

            Our founding father created the constitution to keep this from happening. This is precisely the reason we revolted from England. We are doing the same thing England did. If we aren’t careful there could be another revolution.

            The patriot act is the worst law ever passed. It has caused more fear than security in this nation. Next time you see a bill you should read it very carefully before you vote for or against it. In other words you should do your job the right way.