Compare and contrast how the language of freedom and security was used during the Cold War and the period after September 11, 2001.

The terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 seized the country's collective consciousness and provided government legislators with the perfect storm to push through comprehensive federal legislation known as the United and Strengthening America by providing appropriate tools required to intercept and obstruct terrorism.

Several provisions of the Patriot Act impact First Amendment freedoms in a fundamental way. One provision - so-called Section 215 - allowed government officials the ability to read business records, library records, health-care records, logs of Internet service providers and other documents and papers without the traditional protections that individuals have.