It’s hard to believe that an entire generation of Americans has been born, raised and transitioned to adulthood since al-Qaida’s murderous attacks on America just over 20 years ago. Perhaps less well recognized is that same generation, and all other Americans still living, have been subjected to the most sweeping forms of surveillance in the history of the republic.
That government-sponsored dragnet was made possible just six weeks after the 9/11 attacks, when Congress — in an act of fear and ignorance — passed the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act. The 130-page bill with more than 150 provisions was rushed through both chambers without any meaningful oversight or extensive hearings despite enabling the most sweeping federal surveillance powers ever.
