Friday, October 06, 2006

SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM NECESSARY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

After a unanimous ruling by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the Bush administration can continue to examine international phone calls and e-mails coming in or going out of the country. Not all, mind you, just those involving people the government suspects of terrorist connections.

This ruling puts on hold the contrary decision of a U.S. District Judge until the Court of Appeals revises the case. The former cited the violation of free speech, privacy, and the overstepping of the powers of the executive branch of government as reasons for the judgment.

Part of the criticism on the Republican Administration focuses on their effecting surveillance without warrants. There is a court established for that purpose, but getting a warrant takes time. The government explains this type of intelligence operation requires immediate action, or the opportunity to intercept terrorist messages is lost.

That seems reasonable to me. The potential loss of life and the potential damage to our economy from a terrorist attack override in importance whatever loss of free speech or privacy occurs from the government’s surveillance program. As usual, the Amercian Civil Liberties Union is against it. They call it domestic spying, to make it sound sinister, something the government is doing against its own people. These liberal self-appointed guardians of our freedoms can go hatch eggs or go defend the rights of citizens in other countries, for all I care. Try Cuba first. We will be sorry if we listen to them on this and other issues. There will be no country left. Rarely, I agree with their decisions.

As it affects the ordinary law-abiding American citizen, what is the big deal here? I have not lost my right to free speech. I can say whatever I want, recognizing at the same time those who plot against America are not free to speak their minds in public. Should loyal Americans be concerned with the inability of conspirators to reveal their malevolent plans? No! Is their right to free speech important to the rest of us? No! Should it be? No!

Regarding my right to privacy, let the government invade it, if they have grounds to believe I am a traitor. Since that is not the case, I have nothing to fear. Chances are, the average John and Mary will never be subjects of surveillance. My belief is our intelligence agents will narrow their watch to individuals likely to aid and abet the enemy. If the government exceeds the proper use of this power to examine communications and begins harassing innocent citizens, we can take action and demand the resignation of those responsible. The surveillance of communications without a warrant should only apply to matters of national security. Concerning other matters, no court of law should admit information obtained through surveillance, unless there is a warrant.

Recommended Reading: Ercian Testament - Part One, chapter 1 “Ground Zero.”

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