Privacy: Cold War vs. War on Terror

[Hometown]

Following Nixon's fall from power in the 1970s the U.S. set about reining in abuses by the FBI and CIA.  Our government strengthened constitutional rights at the height of our "cold war" on the former Soviet Union.

Now, engaged in a battle with terrorists, we have a government that says we need to intrude on citizen privacy to combat terrorism.

Does our current struggle really call for cutting back on constitutionally guaranteed safeguards, when our war against a much more formidable opponent did not?

[mr.jaynes]

quote:Originally posted by Hometown

Following Nixon's fall from power in the 1970s the U.S. set about reining in abuses by the FBI and CIA.  

Does our current struggle really call for cutting back on constitutionally guaranteed safeguards, when our war against a much more formidable opponent did not?

Hey, I feel so safe with them (the FBI, the CIA, the NSC nad the Department of Homeland Security) watching over me, it's almost scary. In other words, who protects us from them?

[Conan71]

Considering I'm not a terrorist, I couldn't give a whit.  Those who are within the bounds of the law have no need to worry.

[MichaelC]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

Considering I'm not a terrorist, I couldn't give a whit.  Those who are within the bounds of the law have no need to worry.

Besides, it will be much easier to round up the Mexicans and Jews without privacy.  Who doesn't like easy?

Speaking of Cold War, how about that Russian response to our proposed missile defense system?

[iplaw]

If I were Putin I'd be much more afraid of this guy than our missile shield...

[Chicken Little]

quote:Originally posted by iplaw

If I were Putin I'd be much more afraid of this guy than our missile shield...

What, is this guy resistant to poison?

[iplaw]

No kidding!!! []  If I were Putin, I'd be concerned...you know he's tried/trying to kill this guy but apparently he's untouchable.  Maybe the poor former president of Lukoil will have a chance to get out of jail if Putin gets ousted.

[mr.jaynes]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

Considering I'm not a terrorist, I couldn't give a whit.  Those who are within the bounds of the law have no need to worry.

Having read of the history and criticisms of these agencies, they're equal opportunity offenders, some of these more than others.

[Conan71]

Berezovsky is a scary-looking dude.

Here he is giving a clandestine salute to Putin:



[}:)]

[mr.jaynes]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

Berezovsky is a scary-looking dude.

Here he is giving a clandestine salute to Putin:



[}:)]

Kind of the Russian equivalent of CANF's Jorge Mas-Canosa.

[iplaw]

quote:Originally posted by teddy jack eddy

Bush has started the cold war all over again with this missile defense system in Europe.  He's a real peach of a President.

Like hyperbole much?

[MichaelC]

quote:Originally posted by teddy jack eddy

Bush has started the cold war all over again with this missile defense system in Europe.  He's a real peach of a President.

Russia is quite fearful of the West, particularly the tendency for Democracy to devolve into Fascism/Nationalism, then turn it's anger on Russia.  Displaying anything that resembles fascist tendencies (preemptive invasions, strategic invasions, threatening  rhetoric) scares the bejeezus out of Russia.  

Russia wants to be able to trust the West, but it's modern history says it can't.

Basically, the only way to avoid hostility toward the Russians would be to include them.  And if the Russians aren't cool with being included, then it's the wrong time.  At some point, there will be a friendlier Russian gov't, assuming we aren't patently hostile toward Russian interests.

[mr.jaynes]

Mas Canosa, for those who don't know, was the head of the Cuban American National Foundation, a rather radical political organization that seemed to have a greater voice in US foreign policy than it should.

[South_Tulsan]

quote:Originally posted by Hometown


Does our current struggle really call for cutting back on constitutionally guaranteed safeguards, when our war against a much more formidable opponent did not?

No.

However, I would say that our current generation of folks (whose children are running around with ipods and jeans pulled down so low you can see their underwear) are simply a much dumber lot of people.

Throw in some Sean Hannity and other propagandists like Beck, Ingram, and the like, and we further brainwash the local populace of failed parents and other already dumbed down citizens.

The result? The piece of crap America full of wimps that we live in today.

We are taught to fear anything, and give up everything, IMO.

And on the subject of Bush and Putin, LOL, let's play a game. It will be a very short game.

Let's see how many nations we can name that we have IMPROVED relations with during the Bush presidency.
[:O]

[mr.jaynes]

quote:Originally posted by South_Tulsan

quote:Originally posted by Hometown


Does our current struggle really call for cutting back on constitutionally guaranteed safeguards, when our war against a much more formidable opponent did not?

No.

However, I would say that our current generation of folks (whose children are running around with ipods and jeans pulled down so low you can see their underwear) are simply a much dumber lot of people.

Throw in some Sean Hannity and other propagandists like Beck, Ingram, and the like, and we further brainwash the local populace of failed parents and other already dumbed down citizens.

The result? The piece of crap America full of wimps that we live in today.

We are taught to fear anything, and give up everything, IMO.

And on the subject of Bush and Putin, LOL, let's play a game. It will be a very short game.

Let's see how many nations we can name that we have IMPROVED relations with during the Bush presidency.
[:O]

The current generation of kids are being raised by those attending High School when I did, which certainly leads me to examine where we may had gotten it wrong-tho' I'm neither married nor have children (but always subject to change), I can only go by what I see. Fortunately, my siblings have all married off, have their children, and both generations are carrying on the Jaynes name quite proudly: not a Gangsta wannabe in the bunch.

Hannity, Ingraham, et al: little better than hack propogandists echoing the more extremist and reactionary views of the right wing. How they haven't been rendered irrelevant and obsolete by now says much for those who seem to thrive on their every word.  

As for our relations with other countries, it's hard to maintain good relations with other countries, hard for them to like you and trust you, if you aren't that popular or trusted at home. Improve your profile at home, you'll be in a better position to raise it abroad. That's just good common horse-sense.