Living Under The Patriot Act: Educating A Society details the monumental struggle to bring the most powerful law in the war on terror since September 11, 2001 to fruition. The combatants included Republicans and Democrats from the 108th Congress and the “Coalition of Opposition” which emerged during the 109th Congress. The highly controversial Coalition’s efforts threatened the renewal of the Patriot Act far beyond what the general public has been told. Living Under The Patriot Act: Educating A Society also includes the platforms and perceptions of individuals, as well as special interest groups, on many sides of the Patriot Act argument. These special interest groups range from groups as diverse as the ACLU to the Gun Owners of America.
This book will appeal to all readers who are concerned about terrorism and the future of America. With this in mind, Living Under The Patriot Act: Educating A Society was written for the average everyday American, as well as the academic. In fact, due to ambiguous nature of the Patriot Act’s construction, coupled with the growing threat of terrorism, the need for a comprehensive book on this law has never been greater. Regardless of where you stand on the Patriot Act debate, readers of this book will benefit from a superior knowledge which will strengthen any discussion on this unique law.
Paul A. Ibbetson is a published author and lecturer on the Patriot Act. He is a former Chief of Police of Cherryvale, Kansas, and member of the Montgomery County Drug Task Force. Paul received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Criminal Justice at Wichita State University, and is currently completing his PhD. in sociology at Kansas State University. Paul is the author of the book “Living Under The Patriot Act: Educating A Society” as well as director of the Patriot Act Research Website at www.patriotactresearch.com
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments vii
Part I The Patriot Act 1
Chapter 1 Why Study the Patriot Act? 3
Chapter 2 Understanding the Challenge 7
Chapter 3 The Patriot Act: One Piece at a Time 14
Chapter 4 The Quiet Giants 36
Chapter 5 Giving Perspective on Detention Issues 55
Chapter 6 Support for the Patriot Act 75
Chapter 7 Opposition to the Patriot Act 91
Chapter 8 Evaluating History 107
Chapter 9 What Writers Write: A Content Analysis 123
Chapter 10 A Sociological Perspective of the Patriot Act 146
Chapter 11 Polling the Patriot Act 159
Part II The Road to Patriot Act II 177
Chapter 12 The Little Law That Wasn’t 179
Chapter 13 Viewing the Political Landscape 187
Chapter 14 The House of Representatives 199
Chapter 15 The Senate 211
Chapter 16 The Creation of the “Coalition of Opposition” 218
Chapter 17 The Second Extension of the Patriot Act 240
Chapter 18 The Renewal of the Patriot Act 250
Chapter 19 Conclusion 268
Bibliography 271
Index 314