To those who don't remember the events of September 11, 2001, it can be difficult to convey the sense of dread and uncertainty that followed. As horrible as the attacks were, many of us wondered: What's next?
It was in this context that Congress quickly passed, and President George W. Bush signed, such legislation as the USA PATRIOT Act, less than two months after 9/11. While that law was drafted with the best of intentions— strengthening the nation's defenses against potential future attacks—in practice, authorities overwhelmingly use it to circumvent Americans' basic freedoms like privacy and due process.