Would you condone the phrase, "I have nothing to hide" when the government wants to restrict civil freedom?

Answer 1

NO!!

I hear the sound of jackboots in the distance....

Answer 2

That's an easy phrase to sympathize with, though I don't believe that it plays well with our Constitution.

The Bill of Rights is not a list of our freedoms, it is a check on the government. Those rights cannot be legislated away, no matter the time in which we live. The Fourth Amendment requires that the government have "probable cause" to act on a suspicion of wrong-doing.

"If civil rights are to be curtailed during wartime, it must be done openly and democratically, as the Constitution requires, rather than by silent erosion..."

Those are the words of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia in Hamdi v. Rumsfeld.

The Constitution requires much more than an "I have nothing to hide" attitude when it comes to protected civil liberties.

Answer 3

no seem to here it alot , i personally dont have anything to hide not even had a speeding ticket , but that is not the point . wiser men than us apreciated the right to freedom over anything and warned of what is happening today .

"Those people that give away neccesary liberty for temporary security deserve neither liberty nor security "
Benjamin Franklin

many people have been dumbed down ( vaccines , tv , media ,bad food) to be scared of there own shadow.

like throughout history the problem reaction solution method has been used . create a "problem" false flag operation (9/11) , get a "reaction" the people go oh **** !!!! , then come along with the solution the people except losing whatever rights as long as they feel it will make them safe .

tryed and tested through out history and all that comes of it is tyranny , theres a bigger picture (agenda) here and its not good !!!!

Answer 4

I get there are those who need the tools to protect us, but respecting a right to privacy, doesn't have to be the same as hiding and just because you have that right, doesn't mean it's always reasonable to respect it.
Y'know ... ? I really do hate that f++king statement - and it's used often. Because your / our rights being eroded have absolutely nothing to do with what you, I, or any one else may (or for that matter may not) have to hide.
Fair enough, you need to restrict this, or that for the "common good" ... fine. But it's down to those suggesting / implementing those restrictions to make the arguments and to be on the back foot when they can't come up with the goods, and not the rest of us - at least not right off the bat. Burden of proof, presentation of that proof (within reason and subject to practicalities, of course), public agreement, implementation. Anything else is just rude.

Answer 5

No one has nothing to do with the other. Having nothing to "hide" is a personal matter, Civil Freedom is a universal (at least in the USA) right

Answer 6

ahh the favorite question of police states everywhere....if you have nothing to hide then why would you mind pissing in this cup, giving up a little blood or saliva or just let me do my job as a junior vice and virtue enforcer of the moral code and allow me to look around I mean why would you mind if you have nothing to hide....said the jack booted fascist wanna be....I have had this question asked of me. It is the hallmark of a police state and the bushcheney are seeking a fascist state...all of the elements to enforce fascism are in place with the patriot act. the reaction(solution) to the threat...no 9/11 was not a judeo-christian conspiracy...but they are using it as an excuse to wage war on Islam. We are being led by insane theocrats to our doom...deliberately

props to cranberry, justgoodfolk and thank you Mr. Biko
thank you for the food for thought 79
oh anet if only!!!
gooner good point tho a bit garbled

and we know now who the id's of the neocon fascist spies
islam, freak, callista(tho I think she is just parroting)
and medic...
I was too young to get on Nixon's list but I hope I make the new one!!! by the way the NSA surely monitors what is said here and can and will get logs from Yahoo unless they are run by americans maybe they will put up a fight when they come for our words....

Answer 7

Anyone who answers yes to this question follows the logic of a police state.My answers is and always will be no.Don't care who's in power.
Civil liberties have been fought for for centuries all around the world but now people would simply give them up without a struggle cos they're spoiled.They don't remember or can imagine how it is without them. They take life as we know it for granted while they accept when someone takes it away
Want to stress this again,the argument I have nothing to hide is the logic of a police state.When you choose to enter that logic you are no longer the land of the free and nothing stand in the way of government to take further steps.

Answer 8

What civil liberties do the British people actually enjoy? I was born in UK in 1941 and cannot think of a more restrictive society than the one which we have.

Our method of doing things here in UK is to move at snails pace and finally end with a muddled compromise which satisfies no one save our dearly beloved politicians.

The whole sorry mess is like a dream struggling through heavy black treacle.

Answer 9

Of course not, only the most ignorant would allow their government that sort of control. It very quickly can (and has) become an issue that what you must hide is your ability to read or write or print opposing views- when regimes are given, or take by force, that sort of power. I would never willingly give up my right to privacy. No American with an IQ over 80 would.

Answer 10

I used to think that this was the case, but not any more. We are losing our freedom of speech, we are constantly watched, many people have been criminalised by insidious and petty laws that most don't even know about. It is now a 'crime' to put rubbish in the wrong bin, for example. It has also become a crime to defend yourself or your propery. It is ironic that despite all this, it's a great place for criminals.

Answer 11

Those are the most evil words I have seen on this site. The proper response should be.Ask and if I think it relevant I will reply other wise it is none of your business thank-you.ps NO TO ID CARDS