Spying on American citizens. I can't think of anything that threatens our liberties and freedoms more. The article posted by the New York Times ( http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/15/politics/15cnd-program.html ) tells the story about the surviellence of American citizen who have been monitored by the Federal Government eventhough they have never been charged with a crime. This goes against the basic principles of privacy. In all honesty I must ask the question: "Am I being scrutinized by the Federal Government?" My wife is from a muslim culture and is not an American citizen. Mind you my wife has never been a muslim, but because of her nationality her passport does say "muslim" on it. Now my emails are being monitored, my phone calls, perhaps my written correspondance with her?
Well, we can all be thankful about the fact that the senate seems to have slowed the passage of the Patriot Act extension. http://www.nbc6.net/news/5553503/detail.html. Hopefully they will defeat it all together.
I always felt that by giving up our personal freedoms and our privacy that we are allowing the terrorists to succeed. Are we so fearful of a future attack that we willing consent to this inspection of our daily lives? Does the government have a right to tell you how to worship and dress? What to read, who to talk to and what you can write? I know these things haven't happened. I know you are probably saying "Hey Abershawe, what's up with the 1984 conspiracy theories?" Well my friends, this is what I fear we have to look forward to if we continue to give the government more and more power. Is it really worth it? Is it making our lives safer? I personally don't think so. I think we are just as unsafe as we were in the year 2001. I think the world may even be less safe because of our actions.
Always question things. That is our job. We must always be vigilant. When it comes to the terrorist threat that we face as a nation and to what extent the government will go to, ask yourself why the Bin Ladins who were in our country when 9/11 occured were allowed to leave the country on private jets meanwhile every plane in America was grounded. Then ask yourself what ties the Bin Ladins have in our country and how high those ties go.
Well, we can all be thankful about the fact that the senate seems to have slowed the passage of the Patriot Act extension. http://www.nbc6.net/news/5553503/detail.html. Hopefully they will defeat it all together.
I always felt that by giving up our personal freedoms and our privacy that we are allowing the terrorists to succeed. Are we so fearful of a future attack that we willing consent to this inspection of our daily lives? Does the government have a right to tell you how to worship and dress? What to read, who to talk to and what you can write? I know these things haven't happened. I know you are probably saying "Hey Abershawe, what's up with the 1984 conspiracy theories?" Well my friends, this is what I fear we have to look forward to if we continue to give the government more and more power. Is it really worth it? Is it making our lives safer? I personally don't think so. I think we are just as unsafe as we were in the year 2001. I think the world may even be less safe because of our actions.
Always question things. That is our job. We must always be vigilant. When it comes to the terrorist threat that we face as a nation and to what extent the government will go to, ask yourself why the Bin Ladins who were in our country when 9/11 occured were allowed to leave the country on private jets meanwhile every plane in America was grounded. Then ask yourself what ties the Bin Ladins have in our country and how high those ties go.
posted by L.J. Abershawe at 07:00
3 Comments:
"We have more to fear from terrorism than we do from this Patriot Act," Frist warned.
Now correct me if I am wrong.. but there were two notable times the government stepped over the line and took liberties away from someone. First notable time was the Abolition of Slavery and the next was the Prohibition of Alcohol.
Now most of us know that Slavery was not the cause of the Civil War, but it was a corner stone of the Union to attack the South to make their Confederate States realign with the Union. Case in point, the South won, but it took a good long while after many deaths for the government to realize that encroaching on peoples way of lives generally meant that the government would have to work harder and blood most likely spilled.
The Prohibition Act took a cornerstone of everyday life. Alcohol. Of course it was still around, but having any type of distillery was illegal and the government vehemently arrested those who were caught making beer, whiskey, liquor, etc... soon after there was a Great Depression and the wisdom of one of our Greatest Leaders, FDR, took that Act and threw it away to help our country get over it's economic problems.
Now? No, there won't be another Civil War. I believe it to be impossible for anyone to incite anything of that magnitude. The government has protected itself remarkably. A depression could be near as the current war we wage is way too expensive for us to keep on going. And if the government (and in particular the Bush administration) keeps wanting to carry this course.... well something explosive will happen and the government may end up finding out that the terrorist attacking them just may be American.
Yes, the Patriot Act. The piece of paper that give the Gov't the right to check your email, search your home, and even watch what you buy on the internet. When I first read the Patriot Act I was horrorified. It is like 1984, and people don't even know... Stupid people, go on and thing "Big Brother" is looking out for your rights. Go on, think it! They are slowly taking away OUR rights... and every American is allowing it because they don't want to get involved. How hard is it to read? not that hard... read the original Patriot Act, not the one going through now... If you "know" your rights you should be appalled after reading this filth. Does this Act protect me? I doubt it. Because I own this or say that, somebody is going to go through my life to see if I'm a "good" American?? We all should read 1984 again, some of us it'll be the first time. Go ahead Abershawe, be the conspiracy theorist... we need people to use their brains and to get involved with our Gov't. It's time to get off the side line people!
gyar, matey,... gyar
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