This was an interview with Ryan Parra, 20.


Timm: Do you know what the USA PATRIOT Act is/does?

Ryan: It catches terrorists.

Timm: Do you know what USA PATRIOT stands for?

Ryan: No.

Timm: Did you know it stood for something?

Ryan: No.

Timm: USA PATRIOT is a backronym; Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001.
You said it catches terrorists, do you know how the government is able to do this?

Ryan: Through the use of wiretaps.

Timm: Is the use of wiretaps, and other such communication tracing ethical?

Ryan: Maybe. That's a really tough call.

Timm: The ACLU, and the ALA claim this violates the first and fourth amendment. What do you think of their claim?

Ryan: The act doesn't violate the first amendment, but it does violate the fourth.

Timm: Do you believe this act has been effective in stopping future terrorist attacks?

Ryan: I wouldn't know. I'd have to know how many terrorists they caught by running wiretap, etc.

Timm: Fair enough. Pretend you were the president, and this bill landed on your desk of things to pass or veto, would you sign it into law? And why or why not?

Ryan: Sure. Signing the act could stop future terrorists. And if citizens aren't terrorists, they've nothing to hide.

Timm: Does the patriot act directly impact you?
Ryan: yes and no. While I could be under surveillance, I'm not a terrorist, and don't plan on harming anyone, so if I am being affected by the act, it's only positive by the government stopping people from harming me.

Timm: Do you think the government is using the usa patriot act as a scapegoat to collect information on all citizens?

Ryan: No. Why would they? The government would just pass an act saying it can collect information on people within the United States.