Does anybody else think this is a horrible violation of our civil liberties? I understand the position that, if you aren't doing anything wrong, what do you have to worry about...but when does it stop? What's next...they can access our medical files...they can record us whenever they want...they can access our computer files...Is anyone else mad that Bush would go this far??
2007-01-04 05:13:43 · 15 answers · asked by Chel 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
There is always a trade off between rights vs security. Personally I'd rather lose a little so called security. This country reminds me more and more of a dictatorship. I never thought I'd say this but I'm seriously thinking of moving to Canada. I just hate the cold, but hey, with global warming maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
Our rights are getting trampled and no one seems to care.
2007-01-04 05:26:57 · answer #1 · answered by Wurm™ 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes, the President is going too far.
His explanation is simple - to keep the country safe, he has the right to read the mails, even though the law explicitly calls against reading of mails.
The same reasoning has been used to take our liberties away - one by one - through the Patiot Act and the Military Commissions Act of 2006.
2007-01-04 15:39:33 · answer #2 · answered by PLUS . MINUS 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Freedom is being discarded for an illusion of security.
Without judicial oversight, governments reading citizen's private papers is unconstitutional beyond a doubt:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. ~Fourth amendment to the Constitution of the US.
"Of liberty I would say that, in the whole plenitude of its extent, it is unobstructed action according to our will. But rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law,' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual." ~Thomas Jefferson
"Those who would give up essential freedoms for security, deserve neither freedom nor security." ~Benjamin Franklin
2007-01-04 15:22:30 · answer #3 · answered by Phil #3 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not mad that Bush would go this far, but I am concerned that at the present time we can not say "bomb" or "terrorists", etc. without people handcuffing you and asking one thousand questions. The whole liquid in the airport deal was a mess. That was just plain ridiculous to me. But our society today causes this, so that's why I'm not mad, just a little irritated at the fact of the matter. It's not the Americans fault that we were terrorized, but we have to suffer the consequences of the terrorist's actions. It's sad it has to be that way. But if we want to be safe, we have to play by the rules!
2007-01-04 13:27:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Oh, please get over yourself. This is not at all what happened.
Basically, in his signing statement, the President added that in exigent circumstances (think letter bombs and anthrax-filled letters) that search of mail can be conducted without a warrant.
The thing is - this has always been true. You need to get a grip.
2007-01-04 13:40:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Shucks. If out of everything going on in the world the President finds time and interest in my lil ol pieces of mail - them more power to him. I'm honored.
2007-01-04 13:21:52 · answer #6 · answered by The First Lady 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
those who say they "have nothing to hide" should allow police or troops to live in their home 24/7
2007-01-04 13:22:38 · answer #7 · answered by I.M. 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes!, that nosy bastard was reading my outgoing email just last night. I just KNOW he's copied my secret recipe for Pineapple Wingdings. I'l bet he's even passed it on to Condolezza Rice (he shares a lot of my mail with her).
2007-01-04 13:23:09 · answer #8 · answered by silvercomet 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Two hundred eighty million pieces of mail. A day. By one guy. Uh ... huh. You're so special.
2007-01-04 13:15:37 · answer #9 · answered by vanamont7 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
If or when one of your family members or friends dies in a terrorist attack that could have been prevented, I would prefer not to hear you complain!
2007-01-04 13:18:10 · answer #10 · answered by crank726 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋