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Don’t use satellites over U.S.
Published Friday, August 17, 2007
The federal government’s recent decision to deploy its spy satellites over the continental United States will ultimately be bad for Americans.
While government security forces may see satellite monitoring of the United States as a means to improving security, the true result will be a significant reduction in personal liberties — and certainly in personal privacy. The fantastic capabilities of our nation’s spy satellites, turned upon our own cities and homes, create the very real possibility that there will be no privacy in this country, no ability for Americans to do anything that the government cannot see.
The government may check up on Americans’ library records, listen in on phone calls without a warrant and more. Now it plans to watch over us with satellites and, further, allow those satellite views to be used by state and local law enforcement.
Perhaps these intrusions will add some security against terrorism — although that is far from certain. But is the slim possibility of increased security enough to give up yet another liberty? We think not.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by Venti (anonymous) on August 17, 2007 at 12:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Uhh.
What exact "liberty" are you sacrificing?
Are you afraid these satellites are going to be peering through your windows at night?
Posted by donnyguinness (anonymous) on August 17, 2007 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If you don't break the law you have nothing to worry about. If police can use satellites to make arrests, sounds like a good thing to me. I doubt the government is concerned about watching a normal citizen drink coffee on their deck.
Posted by kingdanno (anonymous) on August 17, 2007 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The 4th Amendment prohibits unreasonable searches ... Have we forgotten about that silly little document? I love the comments that if you don't break the law, you don't have to worry. Well ... I guess these same people wouldn't mind the local, state or Federal Police walking in on their homes at any time and just doing a random search .. just to see if a law was being broken. As they say ... "it's a good thing". Be careful folks ... this is NOT a good thing.
Posted by kingdanno (anonymous) on August 18, 2007 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's not a paranoia thing ... it's a slow erosion of personal freedoms that our founding fathers thought were lacking from their English predecessors. I do not hide behind an ammendment, nor do I pull the shades ... I just want my great-great grandchildren to enjoy the freedoms that I have. Unless we take a stand and say "No more!", it's my opinion that those future generations will not be as free as we are now. It's merely a humble opinion from one who believes in our constitution and studies it extensively.
Posted by donnyguinness (anonymous) on August 20, 2007 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good one Kingdanno. The comparison of the police walking into our homes is a little different than having a satellite looking at the country. Good stretch.
Posted by Dirk (anonymous) on August 22, 2007 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If Will Smith has taught us anything, it is that the government will use these satellites to track down him and Gene Hackman to cover-up a murder done by Jon Voight.
I'd also like to use Will Smith as a reference in stopping the creation of robots and aliens.
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