UNCONSTITUTIONAL: THE WAR ON OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES

UNCONSTITUTIONAL: THE WAR ON OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES - 2004

RATED - NR but probably PG

RATINGS - 29 Amazon (4.5/5), 24,746 Netflix (3.9/5), 223 IMDB (8.2/10).

STARRING - A cast of political characters as themselves.

STORY - Our country has been here before. During WWII, we put innocent Japanese citizens in internment camps because they were all considered to be security threats to our nation. In retrospect, most people can see what a horrible decision that was. Maybe it was not so clear at the time given the state of the world. When the horrible attacks of 9/11 occurred, it seems that same mindset reappeared and certain people are paying the price again for the evil deeds of others. Is it right to take away the liberties of people who happen to have a skin color or name similar to the terrorists? How far do we go in balancing security and individual freedom? Is the USA PATRIOT Act really making us safer? Was there enough thought and discussion before passing this bill that was rewritten during the wee hours of the morning and not one member of Congress read it through before voting? These and other controversial issues are discussed in this documentary as well as interviews with people whose lives have been affected by the PATRIOT Act such as a US Olympian whose name has made him a target. This is not a partisan issue as you see Bob Barr and Barney Frank teaming up in challenging the administration's actions. These past few weeks have shown us once again how politicians can 'use' a 'crisis' to push through governmental controls and once our freedoms are gone, they don't ever come back. The film makers have tried to present a balanced story although I'm sure not everyone will agree. It is a very difficult job trying to balance security versus freedom and one worthy of every one's involvement. How much freedom are you and I willing to give up to feel secure? Is this what our founding fathers had in mind? A worthwhile investment of your time. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 10/17/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, WIKIPEDIA