What we gave up

Some of the fundamental changes to Americans' legal rights by the Bush administration and the Patriot Act following the terrorist attacks:

Freedom of association

Government may monitor religious and political institutions without suspecting criminal activity to assist terror investigation.

Freedom of information

Government closed once-public immigration hearings, secretly detained hundreds of people without charges and encouraged bureaucrats to resist public records requests.

Freedom of speech

Government may prosecute librarians or keepers of any other records if they tell anyone that the government subpoenaed information related to a terror investigation.

Right to legal representation

Government may monitor federal prison jailhouse conversations between attorneys and clients, and deny lawyers to Americans accused of crimes.

Freedom from unreasonable searches

Government may search and seize Americans' papers and effects without probable cause to assist terror investigation.

Right to a speedy and public trial

Government may jail Americans indefinitely without a trial.

Right to liberty

Americans may be jailed without being charged or being able to confront witnesses against them.