This letter is a response to the letter by Michael Dale, titled “Air travelers tacitly support PATRIOT Act” (Sept. 27).

Michael Dale made the assumption that having your baggage searched is an invasion of privacy. The Fourth Amendment clearly allows a consented search. Flying in an airplane is a privilege, not a right. Therefore, requiring passengers to agree to a luggage search before they fly is not in violation of the Fourth Amendment. If they do not agree to have their luggage searched, they can use another form of transportation. Airline security is not an invasion of privacy but a securing of a privilege.

It was later pointed out that the government is not going to do door-to-door searches. Actually, according the PATRIOT Act, the reality is much more frightening. Because of various parts of section 214, the PATRIOT Act now allows the government to conduct information tapping of any communication network which terrorists might use. These networks include the Internet, telephone networks, and cell phone networks. After monitoring communication activity, agents may find evidence against an individual. Then using section 213, these agents may obtain a secret warrant and conduct secret searches and espionage. Basically, the police may spy on you until you do something wrong and then break into your house and obtain evidence without you even knowing.

The last main point of Michael’s letter points out his support for an increase of the president’s powers and thus his support for section 106 of the PATRIOT Act. Section 106 basically states that following an attack, the president has the discretion to take property from a foreign agency or foreign person that the president believes had something to do with the attack. Personally, I don’t agree with allowing anyone to steal from foreigners.

Oh, and to clarify, Nixon was challenging the power of the Supreme Court and claiming that he alone had the power to interpret the Constitution. He also claimed that while president, he could commit any crimes without punishment. Is it so bad that he didn’t get his way?

It’s good to know a chairman of the ISU College Republicans actively supports a life like that of George Orwell’s 1984. Better yet, he claims that this legislation is part of the forward progress brought about by the Republican Party.

I feel it is in everybody’s best interest to read the PATRIOT Act and understand just how few rights you still have. What you find will surprise you.

Joe Krisch

Sophomore

Computer Science