from The Transparent Society, page 208: "...can we prevent some future panic or security crisis from alarming the public so much that it willingly surrenders some or all of its freedom, in hope of escaping mortal danger."
and "...grand moralistic statements will seem like droplets in a whirlwind of recriminations if the public ever feels naked, frightened, and betrayed. Politically, it will be impossible to resist an avalanche of legislation granting authorities sweeping new powers, going vastly beyond the scope of pathetic little Clipper*." How have we performed in the aftermath of 911? What are the long term implications of the Homeland Security Department and other legislation that has empowered the FBI and law enforcement agencies? Are we "creeping relentlessly" towards "unidirectional transparency"? And what about accountability? Is the press as robust as it was four or five years ago? With all the corporate mergers creating mega-media companies, can they be trusted to give us an unbiased picture of what is going on, or are most of them gagged by their ownership? What about the internet? Is it being coopted by big business to the extent that eventually it will be difficult to find an unguarded opinion even here? Personally, I'm afraid for our freedoms. I think that the security measures in place prior to 911 with a few modifications (such as secure cabin doors), would have been enough to prevent the tragedy had they been properly implemented and had agencies like the FBI and the INS been operating efficiently. Also in the present administration I see a tendency towards fear mongering - constantly issuing alerts and warnings at the slightest hint of an incident and especially the current Iraqi imbroglio, which I perceive, to some extent, as a tactic to keep the level of fear at a point where resistance to new "security" measures is kept at a minimum. The timing also seems to be designed to keep our minds off of real, everyday issues as an important election looms. Doug Who, of course, is not at all suspicious as to why an administration full of oil men want to take over oil rich Iraq. 8^p *Encryption technology with a built in "exception" that would allow tapping with a court order. _______________________________________________ Brin-l mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
