As the presidential elections are just a year and a few months away from taking place, the sides are drawn regarding the PATRIOT Act and the way the United States are going to carry their fight against terrorism in the near future, in general. While some major political figures support the US Intel and the agencies like the National Security Agency in their effort to get the authorization to continue the PATRIOT Act or at least configure a more acceptable data collecting program, other politicians make their case for declining such controversial methods of the so called `fight against terrorism`. Senator Rand Paul, who is a presidential hopeful, has recently expressed his support to the efforts in order to reprobate the legitimacy of the PATRIOT Act, pursuant to the Constitution of the United States, as such politicians claim. And as Senator Rand Paul supports struggles to let the PATRIOT Act expire, some suppose that we might witness the birth of a brand new way to deal with the terrorist threats to our national security. They may be a little too naive, other argue.
On Tuesday, Rand Paul has delivered his opinion on the matter of data collecting programs, such as the PATRIOT Act, stating that the PATRIOT Act has to respect the rights of the American citizens firstly, if it is to be permitted by the US government.
“The Constitution is inconvenient, but the thing is, we obey the Constitution because it protects the rights of all individuals.”
said the 2016 presidential race candidate.
Last Week, the Senate has been debating about whether to dismiss the PATRIOT Act or to find a conciliating alternative. However, the Senate did not find a final solution, so the subject of the data surveillance program remains open, until May 31, when, according to the present status quo, its authorization will expire.
Rand Paul has already gotten a reputation of an advocate against the data surveillance programs authorized by the government. Most political analysts in connection to this matter reckon that this is an intelligent political strategy designed for creating a powerful, firm profile for the presidential candidate of 2016. As other presidential hopefuls, like Lindsey Graham, are well known supporters of a radical approach to the fight against terrorism, Rand Paul might intend to create for himself an image of a Constitution abiding president, one that guarantees that the rights of the American citizens to intimacy of the correspondence and the freedom of speech are safe.
Image Source: Washington Post
