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"A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: Rod ()
Date: April 28, 2009 05:08PM

"A Culture Of Surveillance"By Chuck Baldwin
April 28, 2009


This column is archived at
http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/c2009/cbarchive_20090428.html


It is truly amazing how much news the American news media chooses to ignore.
If one wants to discover what is actually going on in the world, he or she
often has to go to the foreign press. This has again been the case with a
story that every American should be extremely interested in, but which has
been totally ignored by the American news media. I found this story in
Russia Today.

According to RussiaToday.com, "The personal computer may soon be
not-so-private, with the U.S. and some European nations working on laws
allowing them access to search the content held on a person's hard drive.

"President Obama's administration is keeping unusually tight-lipped on the
details, which is raising concerns among computer users and liberty
activists."

The report also states, "In extreme secrecy from the public, the United
States is hammering out an international copyright treaty with several other
countries and the European Union. Under the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade
Agreement (or ACTA), governments will get sweeping new powers to search and
seize material thought to be in breach of copyright. But why all the
secrecy?"

Russia Today quotes Richard Stallman, prominent American software freedom
activist, as saying, "Democracy gets bypassed and they can do to us whatever
they want. I can only guess that it's going to be nasty, because if it
weren't going to be nasty, they wouldn't need to keep it a secret."

The report also said, "Up until now, the breach of copyright has been a
civil matter. The Obama administration seems to now want to criminalize it."

The report continued saying, "Some say modern America is being overtaken by
a culture of surveillance."

A culture of surveillance indeed. What began in earnest under former
President George W. Bush is now sharply escalating under President Barack
Obama.

According to Ecommerce Journal, President Obama and his Big Brother fellow
travelers in Congress are seeking power to "cut the whole world off the
Internet." The report says, "Senators John Rockefeller and Olympia Snowe
proposed the Cybersecurity Act that would create the Office of the National
Cybersecurity Advisor. Its powers are detailed in the The Cybersecurity Act
of 2009.

"If the President so chooses, he can call a 'cybersecurity emergency' and
shut down or limit any 'net traffic or a 'critical' network 'in the name of
national security,' though the bill fails to provide concrete definitions on
what is 'critical' or what constitutes an 'emergency.'"

The report goes on to say, "This new legislation seeks to give even more
power to the government to regulate the Internet and, in future, the
possibility to regulate content and usage. What begins as a method of
defeating terrorism and protecting telecommunications, can quickly become a
method to regulate 'hate speech' to assign 'motive' or 'intent' to harm and
even to regulate and legislate the flow of information that is deemed by the
'thought police' to be inflammatory or counter-productive to their cause."

The report says that the new cybersecurity legislation can be a "framework
for future, more invasive legislation. It is a first step to the loss of
internet privacy, free speech and the free flow of information."

So, once again, the passing of a Republican Presidential administration and
the advent of a Democratic Presidential administration have resulted in zero
change in the overall direction of the ship of state. In the name of
"national security," the federal government of this country continues to
deepen its commitment to what can only be described as a police-state
mentality. And, once again, the national news media in America chooses to
ignore the story, and by so doing, shows willful compliance with this
disturbing phenomenon.

I wonder how many Obama supporters are paying attention?

During the Bush years, my "conservative" brethren (especially the ones
calling themselves Christians) repeatedly turned a blind eye and deaf ear to
the myriad foibles and falsehoods, and frequent fraudulence of President
Bush because he was a Republican. Now we will see how many Obama supporters
will look the other way in order to protect President Obama because he is a
Democrat. I suspect most of them will show themselves of no better character
than the Bush supporters.

Consider: Obama promised to end the war in Iraq. But what has he done since
being elected? He merely moved the major combat theater to Afghanistan. He
is even in the process of escalating the war in Afghanistan to possibly
include Pakistan. So, where are the "peacenik" liberals who supported Obama?
Why do they not loudly proclaim their opposition, as they did when Bush was
in office?

Furthermore, Obama criticized Bush's undisciplined deficit spending, but
what has he done since becoming President? He has deeply expanded Bush's
failed financial policy of excessive deficit spending. Again, where are all
the loud voices of protest?

George Bush wanted amnesty for illegal aliens. Barack Obama wants amnesty
for illegal aliens. George Bush supported the assault weapons ban. Barack
Obama supports the assault weapons ban. George Bush wanted to limit the
legal rights of certain people charged with crimes. Well, friends, Barack
Obama also wants to limit the rights of people charged with crimes.

Just last week, an Associated Press report stated, "The Obama administration
is asking the Supreme Court to overrule long-standing law that stops police
from initiating questions unless a defendant's lawyer is present, another
stark example of the White House seeking to limit rather than expand rights.

"The administration's action--and several others--have disappointed civil
rights and civil liberties groups that expected President Barack Obama to
reverse the policies of his Republican predecessor, George W. Bush, after
the Democrat's call for change during the 2008 campaign."

So, where are Obama's supporters who thought they were voting for change?
Will they do nothing, as did Bush's supporters, and accept this abridgment
of personal liberty, simply because "their man" is in the White House?
Probably.

In addition, George Bush created a Big-Government monster known as the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Can there be any doubt that DHS is in
the process of manufacturing a ubiquitous surveillance society that
eavesdrops, snoops, and monitors virtually our entire lives? And what does
Barack Obama do immediately after assuming office? He multiplies and expands
the surveillance society to even greater degrees. So again I ask, where are
all the Bush critics to denounce Barack Obama's draconian anti-privacy,
anti-freedom policies?

The Internet is the last best source of free and independent information
left. Think where the liberty movement would be without the Internet. But
even as we speak, President Obama and his allies in Congress are attempting
to obtain the authority to censor information on--and curtail access to--the
Internet. Plus, in the name of "cybersecurity," they are plotting to obtain
the authority to monitor and seize anyone's personal computer at will.

The Russia Today report is right: we do have a culture of surveillance. We
also have a culture of cowardice by people from both sides of the political
aisle who, in the name of partisan politics, are willfully accommodating and
facilitating the demise of this constitutional republic.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: MrMephisto ()
Date: April 28, 2009 05:24PM

tl;dr

--------------------------------------------------------------
13 4826 0948 82695 25847. Yes.

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Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: The Kid- N'-Play Kickstep ()
Date: April 28, 2009 06:08PM

Rod's self-portrait,
Attachments:
Intimidation.jpg

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Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: agreed ()
Date: April 28, 2009 06:13PM

agreed to everything said here

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Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: Tit-for-Tat ()
Date: April 28, 2009 06:35PM

disagreed to everything you said.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: agreed to disagree ()
Date: April 28, 2009 06:37PM

so i guess we agree to disagree but still the OP brings up many many good points

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: Tat ()
Date: April 28, 2009 06:41PM

.
Attachments:
GOPcompromise.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: america ()
Date: April 28, 2009 06:46PM

there have been many great american compromises

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Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: Only the Wise Compromise ()
Date: April 28, 2009 06:50PM

america Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> there have been many great american compromises

For example,
Attachments:
BushpapercutWAR.JPG

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Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: thats no compromise ()
Date: April 28, 2009 06:53PM

if georige bush were to compromise with paper he would have set out to make a new kind of paper or totally end paper cuts, declaring war is not a compromise so lets just say u fail

the OP on the other hand is a very smart man informing the ignorant public

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: MrMephisto ()
Date: April 28, 2009 06:57PM

thats no compromise Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> if georige bush were to compromise with paper he
> would have set out to make a new kind of paper or
> totally end paper cuts, declaring war is not a
> compromise so lets just say u fail
>
> the OP on the other hand is a very smart man
> informing the ignorant public

Wow. All I need to know about you is that you agree with Rod.

--------------------------------------------------------------
13 4826 0948 82695 25847. Yes.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: hey mep ()
Date: April 28, 2009 07:02PM

MrMephisto Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> Wow. All I need to know about you is that you
> agree with Rod.



did you read what he wrote?? u amaze me with your stupidity if you think just bcuz "rod" said something it must be wrong

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: MrMephisto ()
Date: April 28, 2009 07:25PM

hey mep Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> MrMephisto Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> >
> > Wow. All I need to know about you is that you
> > agree with Rod.
>
> did you read what he wrote?? u amaze me with your
> stupidity if you think just bcuz "rod" said
> something it must be wrong

I know that he only posts articles and links that only talks about things Chicken Little would be interested.

1. The source of the article is Russia Today. Russia is not exactly our bestest buddy, so their "motivation" behind this report should be considered suspect.

2. The only American mentioned in the article is a "software freedom activist," whatever the fuck that is. It doesn't mention his group or organization or establish him as having any sort of credibility. It would be like quoting me as an "Adult Sterilization Activist" in an article you're writing about why some people should have their balls cut off.

3. Why would the government spend billions developing a system that could unobtrusively snoop into every computer in the country that it wanted, when they can just issue a warrant and take your whole damn computer?

4. Do you have any idea the kind of hardware and bandwidth you would need for a system you're designing to search every computer in America for copyrighted material, and still get the results in your lifetime? And you really think they're going to do that on a global level?

5. Almost every expert in a position of authority has agreed that the United States is not even close to being prepared in the event of a massive, coordinated attack on our network infrastructures. Considering that everything from utilities to banks are accessible to the determined hacker, it's not a bad idea to be able to shut down global access points if, say, China decides it's ready to fuck our cyber shit up.

6. In reference to number 5, the president can also declare Martial Law, but you don't see them doing that all the time for no good reason, do you?

7. If you need any more indication that this is just a bullshit smear campaign by whoever wrote this article, then ask why the fuck they had to bring Iraq and Afghanistan into a piece about cybersecurity.

I can go on, if you'd like.

--------------------------------------------------------------
13 4826 0948 82695 25847. Yes.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: compromiser, ok ()
Date: April 28, 2009 07:39PM

yo rod why the fuck did they bring up iraq and afghanistan about cybersecurity?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: Rod ()
Date: April 28, 2009 09:56PM

compromiser, ok Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> yo rod why the fuck did they bring up iraq and
> afghanistan about cybersecurity?


Trying to show a link between Bush and Obama. Obama being a continuation of Bush

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Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: MrMephisto ()
Date: April 28, 2009 10:02PM

Rod Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> compromiser, ok Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > yo rod why the fuck did they bring up iraq and
> > afghanistan about cybersecurity?
>
>
> Trying to show a link between Bush and Obama.
> Obama being a continuation of Bush

Hitler was white, I'm white, I must hate Jews, right?

--------------------------------------------------------------
13 4826 0948 82695 25847. Yes.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: Furfur ()
Date: April 28, 2009 10:12PM

MrMephisto Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Rod Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > compromiser, ok Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > yo rod why the fuck did they bring up iraq
> and
> > > afghanistan about cybersecurity?
> >
> >
> > Trying to show a link between Bush and Obama.
> > Obama being a continuation of Bush
>
> Hitler was white, I'm white, I must hate Jews,
> right?

No, just Vince.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: MrMephisto ()
Date: April 28, 2009 10:15PM

Hey, you posted ten minutes after I did, and I posted ten minutes BEFORE you did.

We have to be the same person.

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13 4826 0948 82695 25847. Yes.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: Furfur ()
Date: April 28, 2009 10:18PM

I need to send you an email, you still at Elliot@dc101.com?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: Gravis ()
Date: April 28, 2009 11:23PM

Furfur Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> MrMephisto Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> > Rod Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> > > Trying to show a link between Bush and Obama.
> > > Obama being a continuation of Bush
> >
> > Hitler was white, I'm white, I must hate Jews,
> > right?
>
> No, just Vince.


maybe Hitler came back as Vince.


"the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish."095042938540

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: Alias ()
Date: April 29, 2009 12:34AM

]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/27/2012 04:03PM by Alias.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: Gravis ()
Date: April 29, 2009 01:43AM

Alias Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> More likely that Stalin came back as Vince.


it occurred to me that Vince is even more likely to be the love child of Stalin and Hitler.


"the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish."095042938540

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: Alias ()
Date: April 29, 2009 02:26AM

\



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/27/2012 03:55PM by Alias.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: Alias: The Count is 0-0. ()
Date: April 29, 2009 10:38AM

Alias,

I saw the article about you in this morning's WSJ.

Now, you're in a tough spot. Due to the rear-end pain, do you still sleep on your stomach even though this might leave you exposed?
Attachments:
BartoloColon.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: "A Culture Of Surveillance"
Posted by: Furfur ()
Date: April 29, 2009 07:04PM

Gravis said:

"it occurred to me that Vince is even more likely to be the love child of Stalin and Hitler."
Attachments:
phpIdWbCs

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