Week 1 Individual Assignment USA PATRIOT Act Paper

·         Access and familiarize yourself with the following Web sites:

o    DOJ: The USA Patriot Act - Preserving Life and Liberty

http://www.justice.gov/archive/ll/highlights.htm

o    DHS Fact Sheet: The USA PATRIOT Act - A Proven Homeland Security Tool
http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/press_release_0815.shtm

o    Reform the PATRIOT Act
http://www.aclu.org/keep-america-safe-free

o    Congressional Budget Office: Pay-As-You-Go Estimate for the Bill
http://www.cbo.gov/showdoc.cfm?index=3180&sequence=0&from=6

·         Access and familiarize yourself with your local homeland security plan.

·         Write a 1,400- to 1,750-word paper in which you address the political issues associated with the continuation or elimination of the USA PATRIOT Act. Do you support its continuation or elimination? Be sure to address the following:

o    Justify a position for or against the USA PATRIOT Act.

o    Evaluate the overall influence(s) of the USA PATRIOT Act.

o    Examine the financial/funding issues associated with the USA PATRIOT Act and the current mission of the Department of Homeland Security.

·         Format your paper according to APA standards.