With all the terrorism situations going on around the world, we have already given up some of our freedoms--airports, etc. Are we as the responsible Americans going to balk at the small things (to me, as a law abiding citizen with nothing to hide!) to give up or to have monitored to secure this country? Ppl these days are so self-concious about who they are and they private lives, that they look at any type of monitoring as being invasive and dangerous. I dont see it that way!! I guess that I live an 'above board' life and have NO fear of what I do being found out. Guess best scripture is: "The righteous are as bold as a lion, but the wicked flee when no one pursues."

as american's, we gave up our freedom when we were born..........but yet, the imigrants to this country have more rights than we "born american's"........sad...huh.......??

I can see you are about my generation, we all dont want to give up ANY freedoms, but what is the alternative?! 'I' am willing to compromise my menial personal freedoms for the common good!! Ppl will try to take the concept to the extremes (insinuating Nazism!) but that is not what will happen with our type of Democracy!! To me, that's a 'cop out!'

I don't feel that the government has the right to easedrop on my phone conversations. I feel that they have too much power in that aspect. I like my privacy, and the constitution says that I have those rights.

I don't know, sir. I, neither, have nothing to hide. But then, I am appreciative of my privacy, of which I feel I need very little. What type of monitoring? Whats the criteria?

Do I think if there were suspicions of covert action by groups, or leaders of, of aliens, or green card holders, or some out-there leftists? Absolutely. Then again, do I think some government group, pulling at random the name of a law abiding family of two (or four) and tap their phone without any provocation and for no apparent reason? Thats invasive.. and I think, unnecessary.

Maybe I'm simplifying things, but why can't resources be pooled to rid this country, for a while, of every middle eastern person thats not a citizen, close and contain our borders, stop with the visas and college scholorships they're handing out hand over fist, and regroup. (Actually, all the Muslims too, that aren't citizens, since none of them voiced anything over a whisper, about the carnage on 9/11.)

But, ultimately, yes. I would give up some freedom.. not much. Though, never, my right to bear arms. NEVER.

I understand how jamwadmag feels about having nothing to hide. What troubles me, though, is that our justice system is set up on the premise of "innocent until proven guilty". All the efforts in place to monitor our lives seem to be flip-flopping that premise, and it worries me.

I am upfront with my life, and also have nothing to hide. But wire-tapping, data mining, dispensing with habeas corpus -- these practices concern me. Loss of liberties can happen very gradually until we find we have little or no personal freedoms any more. And once our freedoms are gone, we no longer have the power to peaceably rise against an abusive government that takes it upon itself to decide what is right and what is wrong.

I wish I had an answer. <sigh>

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So if i hear you right we should just tear up the constitution,let the government run our lives and you would be ok with that,or just some of it little by little until we are not free anymore.
It sounds drastic but going by your way of thinking that is just what would hapen.The Constitution and the bill of right where written for just this reason,do I have an answer sorry but no.but that doesn't mean im ready to give up my freedom either

Whenever I hear the argument "Well if you have nothing to hide then what's the problem?", the slippery slope logic comes to mind. It happens so slowly that you get desensitized to it, and before you know it, the "thought police" will be banging on your door.

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Z-Lady's devoted hubby.

thats it, in a nutshell

I find that whenever I need to point out the problems that liberalism leads to, I need only suggest watching the Sylvester Stallone movie "Demolition Man". If, by the time I retire, that's the kind of world we live in, I will welcome death with open arms.

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Z-Lady's devoted hubby.