Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Anyone who came of age in the 80's out there?

The Husband and I were discussing The Big Theme we were taught in high school in the 80's. For both of us, it was "Soviet Union, Bad. They do horrible things like track phone calls and spy on their citizens. United States, Good. We don't do that. Apple pie, red/white/blue = good, Big Brother = bad."

And remember all the talk-radio paranoia in the 90's about Big Government and black helicopters and the UN taking over the world?

That's why we are a bit mystified as to the apparent apathy towards reports that our government ... OUR government ... is, in fact, spying on its own citizens. First, the libraries. Then, the call records. Now, the reporters:

"Federal Source to ABC News: We Know Who You're Calling

May 15, 2006 10:33 AM

Brian Ross and Richard Esposito Report:

A senior federal law enforcement official tells ABC News the government is tracking the phone numbers we (Brian Ross and Richard Esposito) call in an effort to root out confidential sources.

"It's time for you to get some new cell phones, quick," the source told us in an in-person conversation."

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2006/05/federal_source_.html

I wish Qwest offered local phone service where I live. I'd sign up with them in a second.

2 comments:

Kelli said...

Oh thats so not cool...

Houyhnhnm said...

Excellent point. The ability to rationalize in order to protect one's self-interest or preconceptions is endlessly amazing and scary. The parallels with previous anti-democracy campaigns, at home and abroad, should alarm every patriot.