Sir William
New member
I am not a Patriot. I simply cannot make the USC/BOR and the PA align. It simply cannot be done. Eavesdropping on the Soviets in Afghanistan is possibly an important NSA duty. The CIA, NSA, FBI or HS eavesdropping on my ribald e-jokes, use of BBs, checking my address lists, logging my blog visits or tapping my phone and monitoring what TV shows I watch is a simple act of voyeurism and improper. Who really needs to know where I spend my money or what legal charities I choose to support? If I have a lbrary book checked out, who needs to know? There is another and simpler side to the question also. When a law was passed that ensured safe foods and drugs, there was a corresponding and tracked drop in the rate of mortality. Is the Patriot Act able to prove a single case of lifesaving? The last concern is basic. In the UK, MI-5 has no constraints on eavesdropping. Even sex practices can be monitored. Prosecution requires a second executive agency a la Scotland Yard to become involved in criminal prosecutions. I note though that even with unrestricted eavesdropping capabilities, UK attacks were carried out against tube stations and big reds. What good is unrestricted access to private affairs if there are no indications of attacks? IOW, the Patriot Act erodes our freedoms and removes an expectation of privacy. It didn't prevent or warn of the UK attacks. Comments?