Big Brother Walks With You

[Trajan]

See, this is the stuff that actually scares me.

And I'm not one that easily scares.

Since you are here, our records show you were at the No Tell Motel between the hours of 1:23 and 1:29 am on the 23rd of November. This is lodging known as a business for hookers. Care to explain?

Six minutes. Some of the fellas around here have given you the codename Quick Draw.

Also, cell phone tracking records show you were travelling 68 mph in a 55 mph zone on your way home. A ticket is in the mail to your DMV record of address, along with evidentiary maps and computer records, with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one explaining what each one is for.

We addressed it to your wife. We got her name off your IRS tax returns.

Absent a warrant, there’s nothing to ‘explain.’

In fact, none of what the NSA collects can be used in a court of law; in order to pursue criminal prosecution the state would need to obtain a warrant to collect and use that information.

As for cell phone records, there is no expectation of privacy with regard to information provided to a private third party, such as a wireless company or ISP.

The surveillance programs are both legal and Constitutional, they exist at the behest of the American people as enacted into law by their elected representatives. And it’s the sole responsibility of the American people to seek to have these laws repealed.

Of course, lawmakers did not enact these measures out of a desire to ‘protect’ the American people, nor were they encouraged to do so by the nefarious motives suggested in the OP; rather, they were enacted as a consequence of their fear of the American people, and the wrath of the voters should indeed another 9/11 occur.

Rather than whining about the surveillance programs in yet another pointless ‘ain’t it awful’ thread, propose and explore instead ways to prevent another 9/11 while at the same time safeguarding our civil liberties.

I suspect you didn't feel that way 6 years ago.....

 

[Wacky Quacky]

Guilty.

I was one of the fools who thought that the Patriot Act was about getting control of the Lunatic Muslims.

And it originally was, but in the hands of a malevolent government, it is obviously very dangerous to our liberty.

Under the present administration, which is filled with leftwing loon liars, a "terrorist" is every white boy with a hunting rifle from Montana to Mississippi; from Arizona to Pennsylvania.

The Heartland.

I repent of past complacency on this matter. I never knew it would get this far out of hand this quickly.

The fact is that throughout our history, we have been willing to give up a little liberty during times of great peril. Lincoln suspended Habeas Corpus. Roosevelt put Japanese in concentration camps.

Always there is a continuous drumbeat for the forces of liberty to repent of the necessary evil as soon as the peril is over....except not this time....because Obama has found a valuable abuse for the power Bush left him.

Another person who thinks Bush and the Republicans were only using the Patriot Act for noble purposes.

Wake up, they were doing the same things as Obama.

 

[MACAULAY]

Its too late to wake up and realize Bush was actually a Democrat in Republican garb.

But, I am damn sure awake to the fact the Obama is a Socialist in Democratic garb.

 

[Wacky Quacky]

Its too late to wake up and realize Bush was actually a Democrat in Republican garb.

But, I am damn sure awake to the fact the Obama is a Socialist in Democratic garb.

Depends on what issue you're talking about. When it comes to spending and growing government Bush was definitely not conservative. He was, however, a republican. Regardless of what conservatives might think, republicans whole heartedly support big spending and big government. It's not accurate to call those republicans RINOs as its what all republicans support.

But in terms of foreign policy, tax policy, security policy, social policies; Bush was a flat out neocon in those areas.

Obama is the same. In some areas the label socialist may fit, but in other areas he's every bit the neocon Bush was.

 

[MACAULAY]

Its too late to wake up and realize Bush was actually a Democrat in Republican garb.

But, I am damn sure awake to the fact the Obama is a Socialist in Democratic garb.

Depends on what issue you're talking about. When it comes to spending and growing government Bush was definitely not conservative. He was, however, a republican. Regardless of what conservatives might think, republicans whole heartedly support big spending and big government. It's not accurate to call those republicans RINOs as its what all republicans support.

But in terms of foreign policy, tax policy, security policy, social policies; Bush was a flat out neocon in those areas.

Obama is the same. In some areas the label socialist may fit, but in other areas he's every bit the neocon Bush was.

.....................................

Yes, our politicians are not only money-whores and liars, there are chimeras as well and categorization is hard. I know Obama does not admit he is a Socialist, but ..........

He is a Socialist; not quite an old time Marxist, as he obviously doesn't believe, like Marx, that violent revolution is necessary before the levelling can begin---he already has control of government. and has already commenced the levelling.

But, everything he does from now on will be just what Marx would want. So maybe it is correct to say Marx is an Obamoist.

Let him call himself what he will....not a thing he has done for 5 years now passes the Thomas Jefferson smell test.

 

[g5000]

See, this is the stuff that actually scares me.

And I'm not one that easily scares.

Since you are here, our records show you were at the No Tell Motel between the hours of 1:23 and 1:29 am on the 23rd of November. This is lodging known as a business for hookers. Care to explain?

Six minutes. Some of the fellas around here have given you the codename Quick Draw.

Also, cell phone tracking records show you were travelling 68 mph in a 55 mph zone on your way home. A ticket is in the mail to your DMV record of address, along with evidentiary maps and computer records, with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one explaining what each one is for.

We addressed it to your wife. We got her name off your IRS tax returns.

Absent a warrant, there’s nothing to ‘explain.’

In fact, none of what the NSA collects can be used in a court of law; in order to pursue criminal prosecution the state would need to obtain a warrant to collect and use that information.

As for cell phone records, there is no expectation of privacy with regard to information provided to a private third party, such as a wireless company or ISP.

The surveillance programs are both legal and Constitutional, they exist at the behest of the American people as enacted into law by their elected representatives. And it’s the sole responsibility of the American people to seek to have these laws repealed.

Of course, lawmakers did not enact these measures out of a desire to ‘protect’ the American people, nor were they encouraged to do so by the nefarious motives suggested in the OP; rather, they were enacted as a consequence of their fear of the American people, and the wrath of the voters should indeed another 9/11 occur.

Rather than whining about the surveillance programs in yet another pointless ‘ain’t it awful’ thread, propose and explore instead ways to prevent another 9/11 while at the same time safeguarding our civil liberties.

It's precisely because of fear that Americans have willingly surrendered their civil liberties.

And no politician wants to be the guy who wound down the War on Terror™ just before the next attack. The politicians are scared shitless of people like you who will blame them for that attack.

Just look at the way the rabid dogs go after Obama for Benghazi, and the way the rabid dogs of another color went after Bush for 9/11. Our cowardly Congressman are more afraid of their constituents than they are of terrorists.

We asked for a police state, and we got it. Because Americans are fearful and ignorant.

The solution is very simple: Repeal the Patriot Act. We don't need that kind of protection. We are not that kind of country.

Your defense of the police state is reminiscent of those who defended waterboarding, claiming it prevented attacks. It's just a matter of degree.