 enbar says: A "fusion center" is a domestic intelligence-gathering facility which involves police, federal agencies, the military, and in some cases also private contractors in gathering as much data as possible about people suspected of undefined "illicit activity." No chance of abuse there, of course. None. Let us not forget the efforts of homeland security to recruit firefighters and other public employees into the fold of being eyes and ears to watch the general public. How is government taking your picture worse than government taking your property and calling it taxes. Question mark. Willhelm, you're too smart to be asking that question. You know enough history to know that a dossier of seemingly innocent data on an individual can, if put to the right use, be used to crucify them. This is why we have historically sought to restrict the ability of the government to collect intelligence on Americans not suspected of crimes. In this case, it seems to me, there are two factors that are alarming: first, the broad cooperation across agencies (including private contractors), not all of whom are subject to any kind of checks and balances, and second, the massive push to gather as much data as possible without probable cause. With taxes, at least you know what you're giving up. With taxes, at least you know what you're giving up.One is giving a little personal liberty ( clearly constitutionally protected) for the public good. With the prominence of surveillance one is giving up a little privacy (not clearly constitutionally protected) for public security. (Please do not quote Ben Franklin. I get it.) Either way we are giving up something for the public welfare. I am not necessarily arguing for or against either. I just find it inconsistent to support the taking of one's property while opposing surveillance cameras for the purpose of security, which are meant to secure your liberty by protecting you from criminals and maybe terrorists. I cer... ....entirely opposed. How is government taking your picture worse than government taking your property and calling it taxes.Intent plays a part in any decision making process. Society is sort of like your extended family. Your inability to see the difference is a choice you make, hopefully it won't be one we have to live with. @willhelm, seriously, though, have a look at this clip and tell me who is being protected from what. History is pretty clear that whenever the government has these sorts of powers they are used not to protect people but to harass and hound political undesirables. Maybe this is inconsistent (though I can't see why) and maybe the ACLU and The Progressive are in favor of a "total surveillance society" (though I can't imagine on what basis you conjecture that), but frankly I don't see why either one of those claims is germane. Do you think we're safer because an undercover agent of the Maryland State Police tailed the head of the Campaign to End the Death Penalt... I really do not disagree with you. The ACLU is a communist organization. If you are still in denial about that...sorry. We'll just have to agree to disagree. By the way, remember, your tax money was TAKEN from you so that your government can WATCH you. I hope you know by now, enbar, that I am an incrementalist Libertarian. I agree with you here for the most part. I just wish people could see the big picture instead of cherry-picking their outrage. |
View the Top Clips from July 30, 2008
Embed This Clip In Your Site...
|
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
New from the makers of Clipmarks: Amplify.com - Don't just share the news...Amplify it!
|
||||||
