One step closer to big brother?

The US are in the TOP ten for spying on not only domestic telephones but also on all other communications.

They have been warned several times about the Echelon system by the EU as the system is being used to economic purposes to the benefit of the US.

Regardless to the fact that one is a criminal or not, the point is: why do you need to enter into my life and stick your nose (to then possibily re-use all that data to blackmail me and ply me to your purposes) when i am clean and neat? Who gives you the permit to stick your nose into my private life, into my talks with my intimates, into my political opinions, into my opinions on my work boss, into my sexual orientations etc?

Which is why many here consider places like the US (But not only) a fake democracy, i.e. a place where if it is true that you can, apparently, do what you want, in actual fact you can do that ONLY because the government knows even when you fart at night (something you may not even realize) and they are well aware that with a simple beat of their feet on the ground any single citizen will be forced to jump like a trained dog (OR THEY WILL USE WHAT THEY KNOW ABOUT YOU TO RUIN YOU AND YOUR LIFE).

That is a pretty adulterated concept of democracy. It rather looks like a ZOO.

Good luck

They're only going to pay attention to suspicious activity. Why would they care if you called 1-900-hotchix? If this could help the government identify unknown terrorist connections, which could lead to a prevention of more attacks, wouldn't that be worth it? Sorry that this answer is filled with so many questions, but I am having a hard time seeing your viewpoint.

Which is more important...a small invasion of individual privacy (no one you know or who cares about your life is going to see your phone records) or national security?

Things like this have been going on in times of war and conflict forever. We just have better technology today that makes it even more in-depth.

It's a little presumptuous to think anyone would actually care who you are calling, if you're not involved in illegal activity.

While it may seem logical on the surface to think, "Well, if you're not doing anything wrong, why should you care what the government knows about you?" But, it's a very short-sighted way of thinking. One thing to consider is, everybody has different opinions on what is "wrong." While certain things like murder or stealing are pretty black and white, there are many, many, many issues that people have varying opinions on. You may not think some of things that you do in the privacy of your own home are wrong, but what does your neighbor think? The point is, it's not your neighbor's business to judge every aspect of your life... and it's not the government's either. And that's why the right to privacy is SO important. It's not a matter of people trying to cover up crimes... it's a matter of people being able to live peaceful lives without somebody looking over your shoulder, judging every decision you make or activity you engage in.

No one is worried about big brother till they are wrongly accused of something. Then what?

A friend of mine owned a condo in FL that one of the terrorists rented while he took flight lessons. My friend only owned the property. He did not ever go to it, or meet any renters, as it was done through a property management service. But he was put through living hell. The rest of his life WILL be monitored and he WILL be watched. he did NOTHING.

Besides this drastic situation, simple things can be turned against you as well. Especially if the government goes on a "witch hunt". If they need a witch to burn to make the people happy there WILL be a burning. Weather there is a witch or not.

I believe we have already passed the Big Brother vision of the future.

It would probably scare the living daylights out of us if we really knew what is already going on and being done.

Airplanegirl.....you are absolutely right. The young ones grow up not knowing any better. Scary thought.

Is it only a matter of time before us oldies have died off and freedom of thought and expression will be something they read about in novels.

But in defence of mankind, I truly believe there will always be some who will fight for this freedom.

Funny, I answered with "Big Brother" in my previous post to you. Great minds think alike. I think that 1984 should still be required reading in school, as it was when I went. :)

====EDIT=====

I went back and read some of the replies so far. Does anyone find it interesting that the 'younger' generation seems to think that it is okay for all of the "security" that the government has given us?

I reiterate my comment about how it should still be mandatory reading of "1984" in high school for the younger generation.

With ONSTAR and GPS cell phones Big brother can keep pretty close tabs on you. Look for Ford and Diamler to have a version of ONSTAR and the government can permanantly stop all cars from moving at any time.

I don't think i'm in any danger lol unless its illegal to plan for dinner by discussing it with my mother. Possibly the White House Chef would like some of moms recipes?I'm for anything that gets rid of some of the garbage people that only wish Americans harm. Why should they enjoy our country at all.

Dave, the Thought Police already know about your calls. Once you've committed a Thoughtcrime......

“from the age of doublethink, from the age of solitude, of Big brother, of uniformity – Greetings.”

Yes, we are moving in that direction.

I love the small minded ones who always say something to the effect of "if your not involved in crime, why are you worried?” but of course the flipside to that is what Laura had to say.

Those who suppress freedom always do so in the name of law and order.

--John V. Lindsay