NPR : The Video Surveillance Debate
In yet another Orwellian move towards an all-seeing Big Brother, the NYPD and the city of New York are installing 500 surveillance cameras around New York in a pilot project they hope will lead to hundreds more.
This is a perfect, real-world example of the current trend towards a communist/fascist type government that sees and controls all it's citizens do.
I keep hearing people say some truly outrageous things in regards to these developments.
The two I hear the most are:
"I don't care, I've got nothing to hide"
"As long as we catch the bad guys, I don't care"
These statements show a high degree of ignorance. Ignorance of America's history and founding principles. Ignorance of real American ideals of freedom and law. Ignorance of world history.
Let me speak to the two above mentioned confessions of ignorance as they relate to the NY spy cameras.
- "I don't care, I've got nothing to hide"
Well, my first response to this is, so what? Just because you aren't hiding anything, or don't think you are doing anything wrong, this is still America. The idea that the government can search you, and spy on you etc. anytime it wants is communist thinking, fascist thinking. Real patriotic American thinking is that the Government answers to the people, and is Constitutionally required to protect your rights.
Let me quote you the 4th amendment of the Constitution from the "Bill of Rights":
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
This amendment (and others) is already being trashed by the unPATRIOTic ACT and other unconstitutional laws, executive orders, and illegal actions. It's bad enough that people are being seized, jailed, held without charge for months, without lawyers, without outside contact etc., but for the rest of us to lie down and say "sure, go ahead" is treasonous, despicable, cowardly, and un-American. REAL Americans fight for their freedoms and rights.
- "As long as we catch the bad guys, I don't care"
Well, as mentioned, not caring alone is treasonous, un-American behavior.
As for catching bad guys, not a single person has been convicted in connection with the Sept. 11th attacks due to any provisions of the PATRIOT ACT.
In regards to the NY surveillance situation, London has had hundreds of big brother cameras installed for some years now. Despite the London cameras, there was no reduction in crime in London, and if you'll all recall, not only didn't the cameras prevent the recent London subway bombings, but they did in fact record the perpetrators. They were of no use in identifying them as bombers, or even as suspicious. They had no value as a deterrent, or as a preventive measure.
The other thing I want to continue to drive home with people is that it's never, ever right, smart, or patriotic to give up your unalienable rights.
To the hardline Christian Right that elected this president, I say think about this. Even if GWB was the second coming, and he was right, fair and just in everything he does, it doesn't mean you should give up your rights. Why? Because he won't be president forever, and every power you give this administration, and every right you give up to them, you also give to EVERY administration that follows them. And it only takes one evil or even misguided person to take away freedom from you.
Think about this. Suppose that in the future a very anti "Christian Right" president is elected. During that President's term, some moron bombs an abortion clinic in the name of Christianity. Maybe they attend a mainstream denomination like the Baptist, Catholic, or AoG. What stops that Administration from using the powers given to this Administration to persecute Christians? To treat them like radical Islamic extremists are treated now, declaring a war on terror against them?
If you are ever not sure about something a politician wants to do, remember this. The founding fathers were smarter, wiser, and more patriotic than you are. And the Constitution was setup to protect us even from ourselves, our ignorance, and our government.
NPR : The Video Surveillance Debate
This is a perfect, real-world example of the current trend towards a communist/fascist type government that sees and controls all it's citizens do.
I keep hearing people say some truly outrageous things in regards to these developments.
The two I hear the most are:
"I don't care, I've got nothing to hide"
"As long as we catch the bad guys, I don't care"
These statements show a high degree of ignorance. Ignorance of America's history and founding principles. Ignorance of real American ideals of freedom and law. Ignorance of world history.
Let me speak to the two above mentioned confessions of ignorance as they relate to the NY spy cameras.
- "I don't care, I've got nothing to hide"
Well, my first response to this is, so what? Just because you aren't hiding anything, or don't think you are doing anything wrong, this is still America. The idea that the government can search you, and spy on you etc. anytime it wants is communist thinking, fascist thinking. Real patriotic American thinking is that the Government answers to the people, and is Constitutionally required to protect your rights.
Let me quote you the 4th amendment of the Constitution from the "Bill of Rights":
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
This amendment (and others) is already being trashed by the unPATRIOTic ACT and other unconstitutional laws, executive orders, and illegal actions. It's bad enough that people are being seized, jailed, held without charge for months, without lawyers, without outside contact etc., but for the rest of us to lie down and say "sure, go ahead" is treasonous, despicable, cowardly, and un-American. REAL Americans fight for their freedoms and rights.
- "As long as we catch the bad guys, I don't care"
Well, as mentioned, not caring alone is treasonous, un-American behavior.
As for catching bad guys, not a single person has been convicted in connection with the Sept. 11th attacks due to any provisions of the PATRIOT ACT.
In regards to the NY surveillance situation, London has had hundreds of big brother cameras installed for some years now. Despite the London cameras, there was no reduction in crime in London, and if you'll all recall, not only didn't the cameras prevent the recent London subway bombings, but they did in fact record the perpetrators. They were of no use in identifying them as bombers, or even as suspicious. They had no value as a deterrent, or as a preventive measure.
The other thing I want to continue to drive home with people is that it's never, ever right, smart, or patriotic to give up your unalienable rights.
To the hardline Christian Right that elected this president, I say think about this. Even if GWB was the second coming, and he was right, fair and just in everything he does, it doesn't mean you should give up your rights. Why? Because he won't be president forever, and every power you give this administration, and every right you give up to them, you also give to EVERY administration that follows them. And it only takes one evil or even misguided person to take away freedom from you.
Think about this. Suppose that in the future a very anti "Christian Right" president is elected. During that President's term, some moron bombs an abortion clinic in the name of Christianity. Maybe they attend a mainstream denomination like the Baptist, Catholic, or AoG. What stops that Administration from using the powers given to this Administration to persecute Christians? To treat them like radical Islamic extremists are treated now, declaring a war on terror against them?
If you are ever not sure about something a politician wants to do, remember this. The founding fathers were smarter, wiser, and more patriotic than you are. And the Constitution was setup to protect us even from ourselves, our ignorance, and our government.
NPR : The Video Surveillance Debate
posted by Tachyon at 19:15
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