Do Privacy Fears Allow Terrorism?

wired news ^ | 4.2.03 | Michelle Delio

[freepatriot32]

NEW YORK -- Privacy advocates: Quit picking on the U.S. government.

If you don't want the government to do what it must to protect you from terrorists, you should butt out, said Heather MacDonald, a lawyer at the Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank. She made her remarks Wednesday at the 13th annual Computers, Freedom and Privacy conference.

And, she urged, stop all the panic-stricken screaming, because it's endangering human lives.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I agree with her.

[agitator]

She's a moron. Show me one form of govt authority that isn't eventually abused. If you don't give it to them, they can't abuse it.

[thetruckster]

Amen.

[americafirst]

OK - now picture President Hillary Clinton with these same sweeping powers to intrude into your privacy. Still agree?

[APBaer]

Saddam might be the vilest person on earth, but
go into your room, pull down the shades, take out a pad.

Make two columns.
In one column list everything that Saddam did to *you*,
add everything the nutty Talebin did to *you*,
add in everything that the fruitcake Kim Il did to *You*
Then sum up that column.

Go to the other column.
List there every way that some other government has screwed you around. It might take some time, hopefully you'll finish by April 15th.
Then sum up that column.

Which column is bigger?
Sssh. Don't tell me, don't even say it out loud.
Just tell Heather MacDonald, "May I have some more, Maam'?

[billbears]

What an absolute idiot. Would she hand over everything she had to the government if the 'conservative' party told her it would make her safe?!?

[Conspiracy Guy]

One must decide whether to have one's cake or to consume same. If you have a way to do both, I am all ears. Well mostly ears.

[DianaN]

I don't care what the government knows about me because I pay the taxes I owe and obey the law. I could care less what the government knows about my shopping or banking preferences. It is the government's job to protect us from terrorists; I hardly see how they are going to do it by handcuffing their hands behind their backs and putting a blind fold over there eyes. For instance, if terrorists make their plans in a mosque and intel can't go in there to gather evidence, this is just what the terrorists like. Why do you think the terrorists came to free nations to do their fund raising, take their flight lessons, reside in our neighborhoods, etc. I don't care if they pretend to be the darn Imam; there will be no damned privacy if we and our children are wiped out by a nuclear, biological, or chemical attack.
Diana
I know I've offended the Libertarians, however, that's just 'tough'.

[Henrietta]

"Would she hand over everything she had to the government if the 'conservative' party told her it would make her safe?!?"

The sad answer is that yes, she would. And so would most Americans. Pathetic, isn't it?

[Henrietta]

I see....nothing to hide, right? So, when using a public restroom, do you go to the bathroom with the stall door open? If not, why not? Everyone knows what you're doing in there, and you don't have anything to hide, right? Why do you want to close the door?

Giving the government more snooping powers to use or misuse (and any power they are given WILL be misused) against us is not going to make us safer. It will, however, make us less free.

[jimt]

Does terrorism paranoia endanger privacy?

You bet.

[dljordan]

Amen, they never stop once they get their nose under the tent. They continually whine for more "tools" after every abject failure. I've been watching this crap since the gun control fiasco in 68' and we've gone downhill ever since. It's always "Safety and Security" but we still don't have it. No matter what happens some people still think that if we just give a little bit more of our freedom up we'll be ok. There seems to be a slave mentality in a lot of people.

[eno_]

You probably have five separate federal felony violations of environmental laws stored in your garage. You don't mind provding your address so the EPA can come check up on you, do you?

What, you say stuff in your garage cannot possibly fall under federal law since it isn't taking part in interstate commerce? For shame! You know our precious environment trumps all constitutional formalities.

[tahiti]

I can't resist.

"She's a moron"is an oxymoron.

[ThinkDifferent]

For instance, if terrorists make their plans in a mosque and intel can't go in there to gather evidence

They can go in there, as soon as they show probable cause and obtain a warrant. I hope you're not suggesting doing away with the 4th Amendment. If you're concerned that certain leads are not being followed because of fears of being accused of profiling, that's a valid but entirely separate issue.

[wcbtinman]

"I don't care what the government knows...."

Your problem is that you think that, given enough of an ability to know anything that the govt wants to know, given the ability to go anywhere at anytime they wish, the govt could stop terrorism. That is a naive position.

Terrorism is the handmaiden of guerrilla tactics, and cannot, and has never been stopped at any time in recorded history. There are simply not enough govt bodies to go around. That presidents have and will continue to be asassinated with the best security available, should be enough proof that anyone can be gotten to.

Add in the suicide/martyr angle, and the ability of any govt or law enforcement agency to stop a terrorist act becomes miniscule.

Now, given that the govt can't do anything about terrorism in the first place, why should I subject myself and my loved ones to some govt bureaucrat bucking for a promotion to the CIA?

I was too young for Vietnam, and too old for Desert Storm, but I hold the sacrifices that were made in my name to preserve liberty in this country very dear. I will never soil that sacrifice by just rolling over to a socialist/fascist bunch of govt bureaucrats who wouldn't know freedom if it hit them in the ass.

If the govt wants to fight a "war on terrorism", then just keep making new terrorists, especially at home. The govt had better be very carefull what it wishes for.

[Kudsman]

It is the government's job to protect us from terrorists; I hardly see how they are going to do it by handcuffing their hands behind their backs and putting a blind fold over there eyes. For instance, if terrorists make their plans in a mosque and intel can't go in there to gather evidence, this is just what the terrorists like.

You as an individual play the major factor in your own security. If an American citizen believes something fishy is happening, I would hope that you investigate, inform authorities, and inform the media. You make the same mistake as most liberals in that you want a bigger, badder government to do for you what you are unwilling/unable to do for yourself. Government is a necessary evil in itself. Our founding fathers understood this and that is why they cautioned us to keep it simple stupid (kiss).

[steve-b]

Isn't this the same twit who wants us to cancel all our "support the troops" rallies?