Only a Modest Illegal Search by Government
Bill Tatro | Jun 12, 2013

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Comments 5


Now that I’ve been made fully aware — thanks to The Guardian and The Washington Post — that the National Security Agency (NSA) knows all the details of my historical cell phone usage, I can rest assured that it’s no big deal.

Why?

That’s because the president told me so.  Let’s not forget, this is the very same president who determined how much money that I should have in my retirement accounts since he knows my exact comfort level.

And this is also the same president who endorses his wife’s position, which would force me to share my pie with all those who will somehow find themselves without dessert tonight.

Indeed, I feel so fortunate to have such a caring and all-knowing father figure as my president.  Nevertheless, I’m very curious if the same rules apply to the president’s two daughters, Sasha and Malia.

Remember them?

I’m also thrilled that our great leader clarified what my position should be regarding the rest of our governmental leadership.

You see, the enthusiastic support by my Senator, John McCain, of heavily arming the same group that brought down the Twin Towers has me very confused.

Thus, thank you for the clarification Mr. President: “If people can’t trust not only the executive branch but also don’t trust Congress, and don’t trust federal judges, to make sure that we’re abiding by the Constitution with due process and rule of law, then we’re going to have some problems here.”

I’m also quite content to know that the most utilized vehicle of communication in the world, the internet, is not being monitored.

Therefore, I’ve been led to believe that there’s nobody checking my email, what I download is my business, and even if the internet was being monitored, I’ve been reassured that once again it’s no big deal.

One might think that all this alleged governmental eavesdropping is an invasion of privacy, and you would be right.  However, according to the president it’s only a “modest” encroachment.  Yet, isn’t that how it all started in Germany back in 1933?

Okay, I might get a bit concerned if my omniscient “Leiter” decides to grow a toothbrush mustache.

srinath wrote on 06/21/13 at 13:28:53:


The old addage comes to mind, something like - those who trade liberty for security will enjoy neither.

srinath wrote on 06/21/13 at 13:28:53:


"If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State."
-- Joseph Goebbels, German Minister of Propaganda, 1933-1945


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Göring: "Why, of course, the people don't want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece? Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship."

Gilbert: "There is one difference. In a democracy, the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare wars."

Göring: "Oh, that is all well and good, but, voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country. "
In an interview with Gilbert in Göring's jail cell during the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials (18 April 1946)


--Steve

All those trigger words in my post, and my machine showed no snoopers this morning. Apparently, this forum is beneath the radar again, just a bunch of "harmless motorcycle kooks"...

Dane Allen wrote on 06/21/13 at 16:59:28:



Some guy said it ... doesn't make it an absolute truth ...

And we as a collective country, wailed and bitched and moaned about this.

The guy thatsaid that - we should let him travel from washington DC to oregon via foot - like lewis and clark. Complete with the posse of armed guards and pochahontas (or was it sacagewiea) and since we dont have real sacageiwa, we're gonna substitute a illegal non english speaking mexican for a guide. Then at the end, we tell him, we've invented this little thing in the time you've been walking ... its called an airplane. We will send you back home in that, 5-6 hours oughta do it.

So we drop him in a plane complete with posse and illegal mexican, give him 3-4 nips of Jack daniels, set out a nice steak dinner (not airline food) ... then when he gets home we ask him what he thinks of that whole security and liberty idea, cos on the plane we dont let him on with his gun.

Once you get the ability to cover 3000 miles in 5 hours in a tin can I think you have given up all your rights for speed and convenience.

Out of time, out of context and really out of date.

You dont get to flail your hands @ random on a plane, like you can if you were walking on the trails ... that is the sacrifice for covering 3000 miles in 6 hours instead of 4 months and getting callouses on your feet and possibly getting eaten by a bear.

Cool.
Srinath.

srinath wrote on 06/24/13 at 08:26:37:



Ben Franklin is credited with saying it. I doubt you could drag him on a fancy flying machine. I also doubt he would change his position on the matter even if you could offer him the challenge suggested.
Suspending some rights while on a plane is a far cry from having your rights removed permanently whether you use a service or not.

To put it in other terms ...

Things that were smart (like slavery) or accepted (Abraham Lincoln's nervous breakdowns) or tolerated (Jefferson's illegitimate children with slave women) etc etc @ one time will now be the equivalent of political suicide.

Out of time, out of date and out of context like I have said before.

Cool.
Srinath.