Govt. snooping update
The state of New Jersey has subpoenaed records of five phone companies to try to determine whether they violated state consumer-protection laws.
The government, predictably, sued on Wednesday, claiming that complying with the subpoenas would endanger national security.
You'll have to pardon me for being skeptical of that claim. We managed to win the Cold War without this level of federal paranoia, so I've got to wonder whether there isn't something else going on here.
Comments (4)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
Yes, indeed, Lex. I see you've read Glenn Greenwald's book.
To Quote Ben Franklin: "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both."
America used to be motivated by high ideals. Now it seems we are motivated by fear.
Posted on June 19, 2006 1:20 PM
Yeah, it's like we're no longer interested in being the good guys for some reason, despite the practical benefits of doing so. That's weird, if not malicious.
(I don't mean malicious toward the prisoners; I know it's that. I mean malicious toward the country's best interests.)
Posted on June 19, 2006 1:25 PM
One thing that caught my eye in the book was the mention of how, if the immigration process is managed properly, it teaches American cultural values to the incoming new citizens.
That was interesting to me in light of the amnessty-like proposals being floated around now. What will that teach, that greed is the new American cultural value???
Posted on June 19, 2006 3:45 PM
[snark]
What do you mean "new"?
[/snark]
Honestly, I don't know what we should do about immigration. We need secure borders, obviously. But beyond that? Questions of both fairness and practicality abound, and if you want to look at a problem dispassionately and find workable solutions, Congress ain't the place to go these days.
Posted on June 19, 2006 3:51 PM