The founding fathers of this country made it abundantly clear that those who value their safety over their liberty will wind up losing both …
“They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety,” Benjamin Franklin once wrote.
Meanwhile Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, described what would come of a society that failed to stand up for its inalienable rights.
“The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground,” he wrote.
Both men are absolutely correct.
“A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves,” Edward R. Murrow once said, and the people of the United States of America is rapidly fulfilling his prophecy.
The latest evidence? A new Washington Post/ Pew Research Center poll showing that 62 percent of Americans place “investigating terrorist threats” ahead of “intruding on personal privacy.” Not only that, 56 percent of those polled believe it is “acceptable” for the administration of Barack Obama to obtain “secret court orders to track telephone call records of millions of Americans” as part of its efforts to investigate terrorism.
The poll was conducted in the wake of last week’s dramatic revelations regarding the existence of a massive Orwellian snooping program being run by Obama’s National Security Agency (NSA). According to the pollsters, their data shows”no indications that last week’s revelations of the government’s collection of phone records and internet data have altered fundamental public views about the tradeoff between investigating possible terrorism and protecting personal privacy.”
Big government apologist Chris Cillizza of The Post was ecstatic.
“Civil libertarians and some in Congress (Rand Paul, we are looking at you) will undoubtedly continue to focus on the NSA surveillance program for some time to come,” he wrote. “But, there seems a limited appetite for their argument from the American public.”
If these numbers are accurate – and we have no reason to doubt they are – then America is in much worse shape than we originally thought. Also, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the “Evil Empire” we wrote about recently is unlikely to be checked in any meaningful way as it slips its tentacles deeper into our private lives (while bankrupting our future generations).
It’s depressing that so many living in the so-called “Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave” are just rolling over in the face of all this, but let’s face it: America really has become a nation of “Sheeple.”
And you know what happens to Sheeple …
***
59 comments
Baaaa!
Baaaa!
I thought this was going to be about Gamecock fans…
I thought this was going to be about Gamecock fans…
Fuck this place!
Fuck this place!
“And you know what happens to Sheeple …”
I know what happens when you get them near the edge of a mountain peak…yes, sir!
“And you know what happens to Sheeple …”
I know what happens when you get them near the edge of a mountain peak…yes, sir!
When a growing number are living off the government tit, do you really think they are going to complain about what government does? Just keep the checks coming!
When a growing number are living off the government tit, do you really think they are going to complain about what government does? Just keep the checks coming!
So sad. The more the tinfoil hatters scream that the jackboots are at the door, the more people tune them out. One of the less attractive characteristics of these people is their puerile, condescending contempt for those who disagree with them. It’s not enough that the security/civil liberties balance is difficult (though it surely is), but now humans are likened to animals. Schoolyard insults never win converts. “Libertarians” will remain a fringe to be ignored, yet again, at a time when they actually have something to say. Enjoy!
“One of the less attractive characteristics of these people is their puerile, condescending contempt for those who disagree with them. It’s not enough that the security/civil liberties balance is difficult (though it surely is), but now humans are likened to animals.”
That’s EXACTLY why Animal Farm should be banned!
Good job Cicero! You are truly a statesman.
“puerile, condescending contempt for those who disagree with them”
I will give you this, you are a PURE asshole.
I don’t think it means what you think it means . . .
So sad. The more the tinfoil hatters scream that the jackboots are at the door, the more people tune them out. One of the less attractive characteristics of these people is their puerile, condescending contempt for those who disagree with them. It’s not enough that the security/civil liberties balance is difficult (though it surely is), but now humans are likened to animals. Schoolyard insults never win converts. “Libertarians” will remain a fringe to be ignored, yet again, at a time when they actually have something to say. Enjoy!
“One of the less attractive characteristics of these people is their puerile, condescending contempt for those who disagree with them. It’s not enough that the security/civil liberties balance is difficult (though it surely is), but now humans are likened to animals.”
That’s EXACTLY why Animal Farm should be banned!
Good job Cicero! You are truly a statesman.
“puerile, condescending contempt for those who disagree with them”
I will give you this, you are a PURE asshole.
I don’t think it means what you think it means . . .
RISE UP!
RISE UP!
Sheeple?This is SOUTH CAROLINA where anyone with an “R” by their name is basically guaranteed election to state office by that fact alone!
Sheeple?This is SOUTH CAROLINA where anyone with an “R” by their name is basically guaranteed election to state office by that fact alone!
Most Americans lack critical thinking skills.
FORWARD, SOVIETS!
Most Americans lack critical thinking skills.
FORWARD, SOVIETS!
Go look in the mirror FITS.
By selling your IGNORANT argument that Bush was not perfect, and neither are Republicans, so Obama is the same…we end up w/ a Stalin-like dictator over us…Obama is constructing a power tower that will perpetuate his tyrannical-type government beyond him…unless Republicans, and Republicans alone, stop him…
Idiots like FITS, Boz, Frank and owb are the reason we are losing our freedom and privacy…Liberals laugh at Liberal-Tarians, because you are so easy to fool and manipulate….You do exactly what the corrupt want you to do…
It’s not only Obama, it’s the GOP too!
Don’t be a fool. The Government and your freedoms are being sold to the highest bidder.
Useful Phrases for the Surveillance State
NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report) — In the event that the U.S. government is monitoring your conversations, here are some useful phrases to insert into your phone calls, texts, or e-mails:
I think the N.S.A. is awesome.
I just reread “Nineteen Eighty-Four” — it actually has a lot of good ideas in it!
There’s no such thing as a “bad” drone.
Sure am glad that I never talk to any foreigners.
I wouldn’t know the first thing about making ricin.
The Fourth Amendment is overrated.
If you ask me, Guantánamo is full of nothing but complainers.
Just changed my Facebook status from “Single” to “In a Relationship with America.”
I’m pretty sure my neighbor is cheating on his taxes.
Useful Phrases for the Surveillance State
NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report) — In the event that the U.S. government is monitoring your conversations, here are some useful phrases to insert into your phone calls, texts, or e-mails:
I think the N.S.A. is awesome.
I just reread “Nineteen Eighty-Four” — it actually has a lot of good ideas in it!
There’s no such thing as a “bad” drone.
Sure am glad that I never talk to any foreigners.
I wouldn’t know the first thing about making ricin.
The Fourth Amendment is overrated.
If you ask me, Guantánamo is full of nothing but complainers.
Just changed my Facebook status from “Single” to “In a Relationship with America.”
I’m pretty sure my neighbor is cheating on his taxes.
The sheeple are half the problem. The other half is the judas goats who lead them.
The sheeple are half the problem. The other half is the judas goats who lead them.
Drama queen much?
Drama queen much?
Their constitution was written solely for land owning white men. No Bill of Rights, no amendments. It’s a much better document today.
Fuck you cunt
Their constitution was written solely for land owning white men. No Bill of Rights, no amendments. It’s a much better document today.
Fuck you cunt
The War on Terrorism…….you are with us or against us
The War on Terrorism…….you are with us or against us
The Patriot Act is over 10 years old. Did anyone really think that phone calls, emails and such were not screened for terrorist hints? Did you really think that what you put online can’t be retrieved by a hacker, let alone the governnent? Where have you people been, and where was your outrage years ago?
Franklin and Jefferson didn’t live in a time when a small handful of people could kill 10,000 innocent people (or a multipel of that). If 9/11 had occurred one hour later than it did, the death toll would have been exponentially higher.
Privacy and security have to be balanced, and accountabilty has to be in place. Safeguards against abuse are imperative. But to think we can effectively prevent terrorism WITHOUT survailence of any kind, is naive beyond belief.
And every comment and every like/dislike refines your digital profile detailing who you are and what you’re capable of doing. When it alerts the powers that be to a potential terrorists, it’s a good thing. When it infringes on my privacy, it’s a bad thing. Can’t have it both ways. If I have to choose, I choose to NOT be blown up or mowed down by terrorists. Why not blame them for this invasion of our privacy instead of the government attempting to keep us a safe in a frightening world? Just saying…
PattiAnn:
How easy is it to profile someone on Fitsnews? First of all, you can follow a commentator’s posts and get an idea of the train of thought. Also, have you noticed that several days ago when you “like” a post your name appears unless you sign in as a guest. What is the purpose of this? I don’t know. It could be for Fits to see who is reading posts, or it could be to show commentators who “likes” their posts. Personally, it doesn’t matter to me who likes something I’ve posted, although it is interesting. Try selecting some serious comments (not jokes or humor) from several folks and track the likes – you will see who thinks alike. This process is part of what NSA does, and remember that everything you post is forever. Now this tracking may also be something Fits is doing for getting advertising dollars.
You mean prevent terrorism like the Boston bombing?
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/06/12/nsa-surveillance-program-failed-to-invade-tamerlan-tsarnaev-s-privacy.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thedailybeast%2Farticles+%28The+Daily+Beast+-+Latest+Articles%29
It is pretty clear that if you read Section 215 of the Patriot Act, along with Section 501, this surveillance and intel gathering far exceeds what is permissible under the Act. However, since it was previously all done in secret, there has been no one to challenge the interpretation given to it by the government…which hopefully will change.
However, there is no way in hell the collection of everyone of Verizon’s phone records for a 3 month period (it has actually been renewed over and over) doesn’t run afoul of the limitations in Section 501.
Section 501. The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation . . . may make an application for an order requiring the production of any tangible things (including books, records, papers, documents, and other items) for an investigation to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities, provided that such investigation of a United States person is not conducted solely upon the basis of activities protected by the first amendment to the Constitution.
(2) An investigation conducted under this section shall–
(A) be conducted under guidelines approved by the Attorney
General under Executive Order 12333 (or a successor order); and
(B) not be conducted of a United States person solely upon the basis of activities protected by the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
Jefferson and Franklin lived in a time where, British troops locked an entire church parish in South Carolina in side their Church. Then Burned it to the ground murdering every one of these civilian women and children. Who Murdered hundreds of Captured American Soldiers in firing squads in SC and thousands on prison boats. Then England even built a statue to honor their murder: Lord Tarlton in their main Church in London. So, don’t foolishly not compare the murderous intent of enemies killing 10’s of Thousands, of Americans in their own homes & churches right here in our Country in the past, vs. the relative few who have died at the hands of Terrorists; including the poor souls of 911. If you are not willing to stand up against these Terrorist, without letting them take your human rights away, then you don’t deserve to live in Freedom.
The Patriot Act is over 10 years old. Did anyone really think that phone calls, emails and such were not screened for terrorist hints? Did you really think that what you put online can’t be retrieved by a hacker, let alone the governnent? Where have you people been, and where was your outrage years ago?
Franklin and Jefferson didn’t live in a time when a small handful of people could kill 10,000 innocent people (or a multipel of that). If 9/11 had occurred one hour later than it did, the death toll would have been exponentially higher.
Privacy and security have to be balanced, and accountabilty has to be in place. Safeguards against abuse are imperative. But to think we can effectively prevent terrorism WITHOUT survailence of any kind, is naive beyond belief.
And every comment and every like/dislike refines your digital profile detailing who you are and what you’re capable of doing. When it alerts the powers that be to a potential terrorists, it’s a good thing. When it infringes on my privacy, it’s a bad thing. Can’t have it both ways. If I have to choose, I choose to NOT be blown up or mowed down by terrorists. Why not blame them for this invasion of our privacy instead of the government attempting to keep us a safe in a frightening world? Just saying…
PattiAnn:
How easy is it to profile someone on Fitsnews? First of all, you can follow a commentator’s posts and get an idea of their beliefs, leanings and train of thought.
Also, have you noticed that several days ago when you “like” a post your name began to appear unless you signed in as a guest. What is the purpose of this? I don’t know. It could be for Fits to see who is reading posts, or it could be to show commentators who “likes” their posts.
Personally, it doesn’t matter to me who likes something I’ve posted, although it is interesting to check out a few. Try selecting some serious comments (not jokes or humor) from several folks and track the likes – you will see who has similar or dissimilar thinking.
This process is part of what NSA does, and remember that everything you post is forever.
This tracking may also be something Fits is doing for getting more advertising dollars.
You mean prevent terrorism like the Boston bombing?
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/06/12/nsa-surveillance-program-failed-to-invade-tamerlan-tsarnaev-s-privacy.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thedailybeast%2Farticles+%28The+Daily+Beast+-+Latest+Articles%29
It is pretty clear that if you read Section 215 of the Patriot Act, along with Section 501, this surveillance and intel gathering far exceeds what is permissible under the Act. However, since it was previously all done in secret, there has been no one to challenge the interpretation given to it by the government…which hopefully will change.
However, there is no way in hell the collection of everyone of Verizon’s phone records for a 3 month period (it has actually been renewed over and over) doesn’t run afoul of the limitations in Section 501.
Section 501. The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation . . . may make an application for an order requiring the production of any tangible things (including books, records, papers, documents, and other items) for an investigation to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities, provided that such investigation of a United States person is not conducted solely upon the basis of activities protected by the first amendment to the Constitution.
(2) An investigation conducted under this section shall–
(A) be conducted under guidelines approved by the Attorney
General under Executive Order 12333 (or a successor order); and
(B) not be conducted of a United States person solely upon the basis of activities protected by the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
Jefferson and Franklin lived in a time where, British troops locked an entire church parish in South Carolina in side their Church. Then Burned it to the ground murdering every one of these civilian women and children. Who Murdered hundreds of Captured American Soldiers in firing squads in SC and thousands on prison boats. Then England even built a statue to honor their murder: Lord Tarlton in their main Church in London. So, don’t foolishly not compare the murderous intent of enemies killing 10’s of Thousands, of Americans in their own homes & churches right here in our Country in the past, vs. the relative few who have died at the hands of Terrorists; including the poor souls of 911. If you are not willing to stand up against these Terrorist, without letting them take your human rights away, then you don’t deserve to live in Freedom.
So Indian sheep wear their red dot on their ear. Very interesting.
So Indian sheep wear their red dot on their ear. Very interesting.
WELL SAID!!
What’s happening to America. We have become a Nation of WIMPS!!
Screw the Terrorists. Give me back my Liberty’s and stay the hell out of my personal life.
If they attack us. No more Mr. Nice Guy, and sending our kids over there to die playing Wack A Mole. Just Nuke their asses back to the Stone Age: Kill everyone of them, innocent and guilty alike, and their little dogs: TOTO: Too!!
WELL SAID!!
What’s happening to America. We have become a Nation of WIMPS!!
Screw the Terrorists. Give me back my Liberty’s and stay the hell out of my personal life.
If they attack us. No more Mr. Nice Guy, and sending our kids over there to die playing Wack A Mole. Just Nuke their asses back to the Stone Age: Kill everyone of them, innocent and guilty alike, and their little dogs: TOTO: Too!!
Why have all the Republicans suddenly dropped the “Glen Beck” Snowden is a hero line. Could it be because he is now in the process of exposing our entire computer intelligence network to the Communist Chinese. Could it be because he has been offered asylum by Russia in exchange for who knows what (well actually I think we all know what)?
Oh well. In the end it appears Mr. Snowden is nothing more than a traitor who is probably looking for bucks$$ from somebody, and will probably get it; all to the cheers of the same people who cheered when this program was set up in the first place. What a strange world we live in.
Why would he bother going public with this if he were merely a traitor looking for some cash? He would have just disappeared and no one would have ever heard about this because he would be working for the Chinese and the Russians in secret…not talking to two newspapers in GB and the US.
Unless he knew he was about to be caught, and decided this was the best way out. I doesn’t matter at this point, we are weakened and our enemies are strengthened.
That does not mean I supported the program. I said it was a breach of our right to privacy when they made it legal after the NSA was caught last time. That said, it should have been dealt with by Congress, not in this way. This places our entire intelligence network at risk, potentially risks the lives of covert operatives, and aids our enemies in evading our gaze. There will be repercussions for the US.
Why have all the Republicans suddenly dropped the “Glen Beck” Snowden is a hero line. Could it be because he is now in the process of exposing our entire computer intelligence network to the Communist Chinese. Could it be because he has been offered asylum by Russia in exchange for who knows what (well actually I think we all know what)?
Oh well. In the end it appears Mr. Snowden is nothing more than a traitor who is probably looking for bucks$$ from somebody, and will probably get it; all to the cheers of the same people who cheered when this program was set up in the first place. What a strange world we live in.
Why would he bother going public with this if he were merely a traitor looking for some cash? He would have just disappeared and no one would have ever heard about this because he would be working for the Chinese and the Russians in secret…not talking to two newspapers in GB and the US.
Unless he knew he was about to be caught, and decided this was the best way out. I doesn’t matter at this point, we are weakened and our enemies are strengthened.
That does not mean I supported the program. I said it was a breach of our right to privacy when they made it legal after the NSA was caught last time. That said, it should have been dealt with by Congress, not in this way. This places our entire intelligence network at risk, potentially risks the lives of covert operatives, and aids our enemies in evading our gaze. There will be repercussions for the US.