Discussion of the PATRIOT Act Introduction The increasingly controversial PATRIOT Act was passed in the wake of the 9/11 attack. This paper discusses its implementation; “role plays” with two people who have differing opinions about it; and the gives a personal opinion about this legislation. Discussion About the PATRIOT Act: When terrorists flew airplanes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, they inflamed the American people to a degree not seen since World War II. Soon after the attack, Congress passed the PATRIOT Act, following this timeline: On September 13, 2001, the White House says “there is „overwhelming evidence‟ that Osama bin Laden is behind the attacks” (“America at War”). On September 14, Congress authorizes President Bush to use “all necessary and appropriate force” against anyone (nation, person, organization) he determined had anything to do with the attacks (“America at War”). On September 16, bin Laden denies any involvement with the attacks but on the 18th, the Justice Department “publishes an interim regulation allowing non-citizens suspected of terrorism to be detained without charge for 48 hours or „an additional reasonable period of time‟ in the event of an „emergency or other extraordinary circumstance‟" (“America at War”). Under the new rule, hundreds of people are detained until the PATRIOT Act passes (“America at War”). On September 20, Bush announces the creation of a new cabinet-level position, Homeland Security (“America at War”). Very soon after the Department of Homeland Security is created and Ridge tapped to run it (America at war, 2004). At this point, Bush makes his “if