Wilson School lecturer and former CIA inspector general Frederick Hitz '61 called the USA Patriot Act into question yesterday, asking whether the post-Sept. 11 law "tipped the scales too far against civil liberties."
The law grants the U.S. government new wide-ranging powers to conduct surveillance and gather information about potential terrorist suspects.
Hitz said some parts of the new law will help U.S. officials prevent new terrorist acts, but he expressed concern that other parts go too far.
Despite wide-ranging protests against the law by groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union, he said, the law "makes the war on terrorism domestically easier to wage."
The comments came in a talk to the University's Pre-Law Society yesterday night in Whig Hall's Senate Chamber. Hitz, a Harvard Law School graduate, also spoke about choosing a career in law after college.
He called on U.S. leaders to act with care when exercising the powers granted to the government by the law.
"Discretion should be exercised in a balanced way," he said. "The act covers a multitude of sins, like so many pieces of legislation that affects judicial procedure."
Hitz, who is currently teaching a course in the Wilson School on the role of intelligence in preventing terrorism, predicted the Patriot Act was in part passed to pave the way for more dramatic actions.
"Attorney General John Ashcroft barnstormed the U.S. to build support for the Patriot Act and lay the groundwork for a second Patriot Act," he said. "[But] not everyone holds him in great esteem as an evenhanded enforcer of law."
He said the legislation would become an issue in the 2004 campaign.
An audience member said he appreciated Hitz's insights.
"I've heard a lot of controversy about the Patriot Act and enjoyed hearing a more informed and academic side of the debate," said Chris Ekdahl '07.
Law careers
Hitz encouraged students thinking about pursuing a career in law to take a few years off before going to law school.
"Law school is like eating sawdust without butter," he said. "Take a few years off and then hit law school with a full head of steam, not being halfway grogged out by turning in your thesis."
Derrick Raphael '06, who founded the Pre-Law Society, said the group selected Hitz as a speaker because he would provide an insightful introduction to the field of law, and many of the group's members had worked with Hitz in the Wilson School.
Raphael said the society is planning a pre-law conference in spring 2005 with representatives from a range of law schools. He added that the society hopes to build on its success through the year with more law school tours and guest speakers.
The Pre-Law Society was founded to help future law students learn about the profession and about current issues in legal affairs. The society coordinates several mentoring, internship and LSAT preparation programs.
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