Wiretapping (A Think)

MSNBC and other news organizations are running an reporting that yesterday the United States House of Representatives voted to give President Bush, and obviously his representatives, authority to listen to/read telephone conversations or emails made between a person on American territory and a person outside this territory, without a warrant. The article reports that:

Under the measure, the president would be authorized to conduct such wiretaps if he:
A. Notifies the House and Senate intelligence committees and congressional leaders
B. Believes an attack is imminent and later explains the reason and names the individuals and groups involved.
C. Renews his certification every 90 days.
The Senate now takes up action on the legislation. House and Senate leaders do not believe that they will be able to draft a final resolution before the November break.

Lesson Ideas:
1. With younger children it might be interesting to ask them if they think it's ok to listen in on a conversation between two people, in general. Encourage them to share their opinions. Then ask the children if it's ok to listen in on a conversation between two people if the two people are planning on hurting somebody else and the reason that you are listening in is to prevent the other person from being hurt?
2. According to the current interpretation of the U.S. Constitution law enforcement officials are not allowed to eavesdrop on conversations without a warrant. However, now the House of Representatives is saying that they can listen in on these conversations if they believe that the security of the United States is at risk and the conversation takes place across national borders. Ask students to write a persuasive argument, perhaps blog a persuasive argument, as to whether or not they believe that law enforcement officials should have this authority. Since the Senate has not yet taken up this issue, you might invite students to send their letters to your senators.
3. If you live outside the United States is this decision by the American government any of your concern? Ask your students this question. Are decisions made by European nations important to U.S. citizens? It might be really interesting to have a virtual conversation with a class in another country on this topic. Epals.com is a great source for finding partner classes.
4. The government of the United States of America was founded on the principles that individual rights are sacred. Individuals should not be deprived of their rights without due cause and process for any reason. Other nations, such as China, believe that society as a whole is far more important than any particular individual. Therefore, if it's to the advantage of society in China individuals can be deprived of their rights. Ask your students to draw a comic strip in which they explore these two different perspectives. Ask students if they think that one form of government is better than the other? Why?

Edit and revise these lesson ideas on our Lesson-Wiki.