Patriot Act Allows Federal Foreign Intelligence S

Student Post 1:

“The
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and the Patriot Act allows
federal law enforcement agencies certain privileges when collecting
information to identify or investigate anyone that may be involved in
terrorist activity. At the time Snowden leaked the documents from the
National Security Agency (NSA), the NSA was collecting metadata as a way
to identify potential terrorist activity. This brought many concerns
about privacy by American citizens. If the intention of the NSA is to
identify, prevent, and protect the United States from foreign and
domestic terrorists then collecting metadata should not be an issue.
Once it has been determined information has been obtained to prove or
disprove possible terrorist activity then the investigation should
proceed or end. The concerns of privacy from American citizens are
understandable. However, if a citizen is not involved or associated with
terrorist activity then why would they not want federal law enforcement
to take any steps necessary to identify those involved in terrorism to
prevent another mass-casualty event or an attack on our country.”

Student post 2:

“Looking
back on the last eight weeks I found that I too have a better
perspective as to how the punishment and sentencing phases are carried
out in the criminal justice system. I can see how the prison experience
may appear interesting or exciting to those on the outside looking in
who have not experienced this for themselves. I certainly agree that
living in prison would be an unpleasant experience. Like you said there
are gangs formed in prisons and some do feel compelled to join a gang so
they have protection from the other inmates. The purpose of going to
prison is to ensure the safety of society and punish a person
responsible for a crime, but even inside the walls of a prison the
potential for violence still exists for those that are serving a
sentence and those that work there.”