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Privacy At Large

Stephen Hershey
Crowd_Walking_Away.jpg

In a reported proposal from the Justice Department, state and local police may soon be given authority to collect intelligence on citizens, sharing information with various federal agencies. Police would potentially be allowed to target groups and individuals with minimal suspicion, streamlining the already controversial spying methods established by the CIA.

Along with the USA PATRIOT Act and H.R. Bill 1955, these measures illustrate a persistent abuse of power and a slow decline of Constitutional rights. While combating any form of terrorism is of great concern, this proposal would give police forces excessive control over civil rights, leaving critics of the government with a questionable sense of freedom.

Comments

Hmmph

Submitted by Edutainment on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 09:54.
All this spying... Kinda silly seeing as there isn't 'much' going on these days.  Not like in the 1700's...or even the 60's, Right?

I guess you can't blame the FBI for being paranoid.  The more the public demands they expose themselves the more they will demand the public exposes itself.  It's madness I tell you!

I say, Let them see!

Agreed.

Submitted by Stephen Hershey on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 11:10.

Agreed.

But, what concerns me is that this could reinstate something like the Red Scare in the 40s and 50s, leading to the "blacklisting" of different communities or artist groups due to "terrorist suspicions."

I hardly think there is enough "homeland terrorism" to warrant this proposal. By suggesting that these measures need to be taken is in turn creating the threat itself.

let 'em watch

Submitted by wanderlust on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 12:29.
they might learn something

"But, what concerns me is

Submitted by Edutainment on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 14:20.

"But, what concerns me is that this could reinstate something like the Red Scare in the 40s and 50s, leading to the "blacklisting" of different communities or artist groups due to "terrorist suspicions."

 

That's a great point.  And following what wanderlust pointed out about them learning, I wonder what inviting them along would/could accomplish.

Let me assure you...

Submitted by C.M. on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 16:13.

the "subversive activity" on Reality Sandwich will not go unnoticed.

www.martialdevelopment.com

Sub-verse

Submitted by Edutainment on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 20:40.

Uh oh... You said it.  What's there to consider about this though?

 

The extent of my personal experience with gvt snooping is only what I've seen at the movies.  And is it me or are the 'snoopers' always gun-wielding morons?

They know better

Submitted by Atomicata on Sat, 08/23/2008 - 01:43.
RS is precisely the place they'll go when they run out of terror targets, but they will run out of time first. Our winter of discontent is about to enjoy a reprieve. Obama is a law professor and that should count for something. I know it's not like he'll champion repealing laws against non-violent drug offenders, but perhaps he'll help to  preserve our rights.

Re: Calikid

Submitted by Edutainment on Sat, 08/23/2008 - 07:14.

While I have my gripes with Obama and corporations/energy, you make a good point.  He's a not only a law professor his focus is Constitutional law.  In terms of him making sweeping changes... well, I'm pretty sure that's what got the current administration down to, what is it now, 18% popularity.  I don't know we'll see that kind of 'upsetting' of the public again. 

On a federal level I'm fairly comfortable with the idea of a constitutional law professor with 'fewer than most' corporate ties and a charismatic gravity rivaling JFK.  

 I do think on some level Obama will pull for the little guy but I'm prone to get caught up in looking to the federation rather than state or even local government.  This type of thinking sets me up for heaps of dissapointment especially when I think about how I can't personally/directly get in touch with the big boys downtown (I've got gripes with the Reps too).

The bright side, I guess, Is the general aire of discontent will provide the leverage necessary for any public representative to get done what needs to get done.  The 'street team' pounding the pavement will have to be communicating with who ever they can, putting pressure on the choke-points.

 If I find a black cruiser outside my home or trailing my every move, i'll go and talk with them about gas prices or the planet or something.  What else am I gonna do? 

"the dumber the snooper,

Submitted by Edutainment on Sat, 08/23/2008 - 08:48.

"the dumber the snooper, the dumber the snooped"

Amen to that.  And out come the wolves.  I guess what this 'federal thumbs up to local governments snooping' comes down to is whether or not the local folks agree it's a good idea to involve the federal gvt in day to day affairs.  Something I'm not terribly fond of considering the feds general lack of understanding, or care for that matter, of the day to day affaris of joe and jane six pack. 

 

So is it big brothers apathy or ignorance that fails 'citizen six pack'?  Or is it 'citizen six packs' apathy/ignorance that fails the gvt?  Is it the chiken or the egg?