Why is the American public falling for it?

Question

Global terrorism truly is a threat that all live with daily, but why do we as American's just roll over and give up some of our basic liberties ie we are allowing our gov't to control too much of our daily lives with terror warning charts, wire taps, etc., is all of this truly for our overall protection or is it for more power and control over our daily lives with BIG brother watching every steps we take!

Answer 1

Usually Americans will react to your question with disgust saying "what rights am I losing?" This means that they don't care to watch their government! Or even care to know their rights.

Has anyone ever consider that if the government pushes its rights beyond the constitution, it will not cease this effort? And the way they are doing it today is astounding! The government has developed the idea to go around the constitution. It is in the interest of the people to stop this idea for the government is turning these ideas into reality slowly and carefully and without any accountability.

Why does these government actions or ideas to undermine the constitution bother only a few people? The very thought of doing something unconstitutional in the name of security should be labelled treason!

An example: I remember reading that the Bush admin is trying to compel the court to dismiss lawsuits against telecomunication corporations like AT&T for breaking the law and undermining customer privacy to comply with government orders. If a corporation like AT&T gets away with this crime, it means they can get away with anything and claim "national security" reasons. Now corporations will have more rights than their customers, and this case will set the precendent!!! In the future you pretty much would not be able to defend yourself when prosecution argues records obtained without a warrant. He will claim they were obtained under the "law". What is that "law", well it's the law that quashes one's fourth amendment rights in the name of national security.

WTF is wrong with the American people? Do they cherish their government more than their rights? Instead of scrutinizing and holding their government accountable for these actions, why are they defending and justifying the actions?

Keep in mind just because you don't "feel" that your rights are being violated, the government sure as hell thought of and are implementing the "idea" inside of you so that you will defend their actions when the time comes. Do you honestly believe that you have to feel the effects to finally realize your rights have been violated? By the time that happens it will be too late.

Answer 2

I think it still hasn't affected the majority directly yet. As a person of Lebanese heritage, I have seen my father negatively affected and he is someone who was born here. He was also raised Catholic. He does not speak Arabic. He knows a couple of phrases but isn't clear on what they mean exactly. His mom was born here. His father came here when he was very young. He gets questioned whenever he flies somewhere so my parents tend to avoid flying because of it. I wish more people would open their eyes. It is so easy to dismiss what the government is doing. It is too easy. We need to really look at it and discuss it then we can make a more informed opinion. To ignore and dismiss is to ignore everything that the U.S. stands for and to ignore our duty. It also dishonors our duty to our militiary personnel who are fighting for our freedom. It reminds me of what Ben Franklin said about not deserving what we have if we are willing to sacrifice our freedoms. With freedom comes increased responsibility and frankly, we have been very lazy and lax in our responsibilities. I see stuff like this all of the time in my daily life where people are guilty of not using their brains. They do not know how to problem solve. They do not know the basic laws. It is astounding really. When we need to think more, we seem to be doing the opposite. It would be sad if it wasn't so pathetic first. AT&T and other companies will be gaining a lot more power over customers. I've had 2 incidents with businesses where I was in the right and was threatened by 1 employee and another where I was denied the use of a coupon they offered because of a register problem. In the end, it has worked out. But it was really difficult. I see this as a parallel to what may come that we have no rights and just have to accept what anyone in a position of power tells us. It's crazy. That should not be in a just and free society. But what else would you expect in a world of celebrity worshippers. Our society is breaking down and too many people shrug it off instead of questioning it and discussing it like reasonably intelligent people.

Answer 3

Global terrorism is definitely a concern, but I would be more concerned about the fact that the government that you think makes your decisions on your behalf is merely a sham. The real decisions are made by bankers and arms manufacturers.
The Bush family have their roots in big banking. Before deciding on who you would like to support check out the family history of the candidates. They have a code of ethics that goes back for generations.

Answer 4

I think that people fall for it because everybody is so caught up in the activities of just trying to make it through the day that they can't see the bigger picture until it's too late. People seem to only notice what is having a direct effect on their own life- Long lines at airport security are okay until they cause the individual to be late for a meeting or miss a flight. Wiretapping is okay until Mr and Mrs Average American get busted for illegal tax filing that was caught on the computer.
It makes me frustrated and angry to see the way that people don't notice what's going on.

Answer 5

It amazes me, too. Terrorism is nothing new, and if you take a look at the incidents of terrorism since the 'War on Terror' began, the have increased DRAMATICALLY!!!

http://www.tkb.org/IncidentRegionModule.jsp?startDate=01%2F01%2F2002&endDate=09%2F15%2F2007&domInt=0&suiInt=0&filter=0&detail=0&info=&info1=&pagemode=regional®ionid=&countryid=&sortby=&imageField.x=35&imageField.y=6

The above is a link to a database that tracks terrorist incidents. Right now, I have it set to the attacks AFTER the 'War on Terror' was declared. Look at the number of attacks in the Mid-East. Over 11,000 in the last 5.5 years.

Now, change the dates to get pre invasion results. The database goes back to 1968. Enter the dates and hit 'Filter Results' to see the number of attacks between 1968 and 2001. It's about 3,000 attacks in the Mid-East.

We are stirring up a hotbed of anger in the Mid-East. We aren't preventing anything, and we have signed away our freedoms to the government because the American people have been sold on the 'boogey man'. Terrorism is always going to be an issue. Giving our freedoms away is not going to solve anything.

Answer 6

Big Brother aka. the ruling elite, Bush & Co. mafia, etc. have a temporary straglehold on much of our society. As history would remind us this situation will collapse and we will return to a point of balance and equity. Let us hope the 2008 elections will bring the wholesale changes and realignment we so desperately need.

Answer 7

I wrote and received no assistance from the Democrats and Republicans when the FBI was harassing me as a result of some people starting rumors about me.

Even the ACLU in Los Angeles said they could not help.

Legal Aid was a waste of time and just took credit and referred me to someone that I could had found on my own. I know a lawyer there and she did not respond to my email when I needed her.

Answer 8

A large percentage of the population is mind-numbingly ignorant when it comes to this. I suspect that over half of Americans don't even know what's in the Bill of Rights and wouldn't recognize a violation if they saw it.

The most important thing people are overlooking is that the Bill of Rights must be applied equally to everyone. If exceptions are made, our rights are no longer protected. If suspected terrorists or "terrorist sympathizers" can be deprived of their civil rights, ANYONE can.

Answer 9

Thank you for your question.

I am so overwhelming, blindingly, maddeningly SICK of people parroting back the phrase, "WHAT FREEDOMS HAVE YOU LOST?"

Here's my answer to you: "It is not my fault that you are either too lazy or too stupid to READ the Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, and the May 9 Horror that bush rammed through. It is all right there, it is in detail, it is clearly, plainly AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION."

Until people educate themselves (which I don't see happening....) we are doomed.

Answer 10

That does not apply to Americans, only United Statesians and United Statesians are a small minority of Americans.