Thursday, June 13, 2013

Why Should We Be Surprised?

"The government's been in bed with the entire telecommunications industry since the forties. They've infected everything. They get into your bank statements, computer files, email, listen to your phone calls...every wire, every airwave. The more technology used, the easier it is for them to keep tabs on you. It's a brave new world out there. At least it better be."
--Brill (Enemy of the State)

Ron Paul wonders why we should be surprised about the NSA surveillance scandal. Those who opposed the Constitution as written were among those who understood government's insatiable appetite for power and control.

Rights usually aren't forcefully taken overnight. Their erosion is gradual, steady. For instance, Judge Nap explains the erosion leading up to the present NSA situation.

We now face a situation similar to the colonists in the 1760s, who dealt with British soldiers writing their own search warrants to enter people's houses. That situation helped motivate a revolution and then a written Constitution meant to secure individual rights.

That Constitution has now been close to completely shredded.

With rights violated and Constitution shredded, what is likely to follow?

2 comments:

dgeorge12358 said...

Christopher Boyce: I know a thing or two about predatory behavior, and what once was a legitimate intelligence agency is now being used on weaker governments.
~The Falcon and the Snowman, 1985

katie ford hall said...

Matt,

This might not support your point of view, but if you are looking for a relatively rational discussion on this topic, check out David Simon's blog:

http://davidsimon.com/

It starts on June 7th and moves forward. There is a lot going on in the comments.

I don't know if you know about him -- he is a former journalist and is now a screen writer. He created The Wire, which many people (like me) think is the best television show ever. He's a MacArthur Genius and I don't think you'll find many other smart thinker types so willing to engage on a topic.

Like I said, you might not agree with him, but it's been an amazing discussion, I think, and sets a really good example of what real, productive debate can look like.

If you have a couple of free hours, you might want to check it out.

:)

Katie