Quote:
Originally posted by jaguar
*sighs*
i really am very scared about what kind of society we're gonna live in 50-80 years.....really, really scared.
yes this is an offtopic rambelling rant of no importance, feel free to ignore it.
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I don't think it's off-topic at all. Ever since 9/11, I have been terrified -- not of the terrorists, but of all the things being done to erode our freedoms/privacy in the name of "security".
This has been happening more slowly, but this has triggered a speed-up process. 10 years ago, you could get on a plane without showing ID. The only identifying factor on the ticket was your title (Mr., Ms., Mrs., or Dr.). I know because, at least once, I used someone else's ticket. And, as long as security would have been sufficent to ensure that no one has weapons on board, I don't care if anyone knew who REALLY was on the plane -- the small additional risk is worth the privacy.
Now, some would say that what they have done is good. I dunno. I *liked* the fact that I could travel without someone else knowing and, believe it or not, there ARE reasons why someone would not want things known even if they are not criminals -- that's the reason for the 4th ammendment.
It the fourth ammendment's purpose was JUST to protect criminals, it wouldn't be in there. Criminals are allowed to go free sometimes, not becuase THEIR rights have been violated specifically, but because an INDIVIDUAL's rights have been violated by the government. The court system (by virtue of the consitution) has always ruled that that is a GREATER crime that whatever the defendent did -- even murder.
So, you want to take away my right to privacy to reduce the much lesser crime of "identity theft"??? I strongly oppose that.
In much the same way that I am willing to risk being shot rather than ignore the second ammendment (even though I do NOT own a gun), I would rather risk my identity stolen than remove citizens' right to privacy.
I'll end MY rant with one of my favorite quotes:
"People who are willing to sacrifice freedom in exchange for security will receive neither" - B. Franklin