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In reply to the discussion: NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden: 'I do not expect to see home again' [View all]LiberalLovinLug
(14,173 posts)Rights that we had just a few short years ago for one. When Bush's wiretapping of US citizens without warrants was deemed unconstitutional, Bush just cursed and called the Constitution "a goddammed piece of paper" and ordered Woo and others to retroactively make it all legal. So I guess its now ok because its officially "legal".
Yes I would encourage more Ellsbergs, Mannings and Snowdens. I will take my chances of dying in a terrorist attack, or a plane crash, or a car accident, or the myriad of other dangers living in the modern world and live in a free and open society. That is a price I am willing to pay. It doesn't mean I don't want our defense departments to use whatever other means they have to investigate terrorism leads including wiretaps and invasions of privacy on actual suspects. But I also do not believe in fishing expeditions through everyones communications where information can be used to persecute and silence political critics or anyone outside the norm. And if you don't think this is a slippery slope that will only slide the country down further into fascism then you are blind.
I have a suggestion. If you want to be 100% secure, admit yourself to an institution where you get 3 meals a day, and exercise yard, and a safe secure place to sleep every night. But leave the rest of us to live freely.