The debate that president Obama supposedly welcomes - how much security versus how much liberty - is one that is just now getting started. I plan on writing a lengthy position on it in the near future. I need to analyze my own thinking on the subject first. It's something I have recommended others to do as well. Everyone should think about this - it is a very serious issue.
The 'debate' Obama wants is necessary. But I don't think it really should amount to a debate. A debate implies two resolute, absolute and mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive positions. But I don't believe that is the case here. The false choice president Obama has implied are on the one hand unfettered operational environment for terrorists but absolute personal privacy and Big Brother on the other hand. There are clearly possibilities between those two extremes.
One counterpoint to that libertarian view that is worth mentioning is that in reaction to 9/11 a lot of people supported the Patriot Act and were of the view that this was the new world that America had to operate in. While something definitely needed to be done, it is easily argued that there was a knee-jerk over-reaction going on. The same case can be made now. After all, the assertions Snowden has made are not necessarily all factual. More insight is required. More transparency is required or else the debate that Obama welcomes will be a waste of time window-dressing discussion that will have no impact on what is really going on.
The next debate Obama is open to will be the first.
ReplyDeleteThe latest scandal concerning the government monitoring of Verizon customers phone calls is disturbing in and of itself. When coupled with the IRS’s specific targeting of conservative groups it becomes truly frightening.
Obama said the government won’t listen in on phone calls unless they involve suspected “terrorists.” I’m sure Obama will reserve the right decide what a terrorist is. He and his sycophants could label almost any group or individual, foreign or domestic, as “suspected terrorists.” I’m sure his list would include groups such as The Tea Party, Christians, Practicing Jews , gun owners or anyone who speaks openly about protecting Constitutional Rights.
Or maybe the “Vast Right Wing Conspirators” who forced Monica on poor Bill Clinton.
Obama saying he is open to debate is just more rhetoric. Taken all together the scope of the scandals is indeed frightening. Things will go from bad to worse unless this scandal is able to halt this administration in its tracks.
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