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Civil Liberties/USA Patriot Act
Some observers believe that the USA Patriot Act and other U.S. antiterrorism laws passed in the wake of September 11, 2001 have had the effect of restricting all Americans’ civil rights and liberties. Do you think this is true? Have you personally experienced any direct or indirect repercussions, either positive or negative, from such policies?
Iraq Reconstruction
The U.S. government has only recently sought limited international assistance and advice regarding the reconstruction of Iraq following the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. What do you think of U.S. policy so far in Iraq? And what do you think should be changed in the future, if anything?
Some two million people are currently in prison across the United States, one of the world’s highest incarceration rates. Some observers believe that higher levels of incarceration are necessary and appropriate because they lead to lower crime rates. Others argue that such levels are inherently discriminatory against minorities and are the result of aggressive detention of low-level offenders who need rehabilitation, such as drug treatment programs. What do you think?