Is Big Brother Watching?

Of course he is. In today's world of advancement and technological convenience (ATM and Interac to name a couple), everything is "traceable". Our lives are so much more an open book than they were even ten years ago that it not only boggles the mind to think about, it can quiver your very foundation.

As examples. Most people have the internet. Unless your computer is physically removed from the connection you are vulnerable to a hacker; or the government. Digital phone service sends everything over (usually) fiber optic cable which means that your words are converted to a code and then unscrambled at the other end. It's easier to listen in there than on an old fashioned wire tap (so I'm led to believe).

Every time you power up the cell phone, use your bank/credit card, log onto the internet, start a newer top end car you can be tracked. So what's the big deal right? If you're not doing anything wrong you have nothing to hide right? Why all the hullabaloo?

Now I know some of you are thinking along the lines that "If the authorities want to listen in on my phone they need a court order." Law enforcement has to convince a judge that you are probably doing something illegal before they can turn the microscope on to you. Not so.

Case in point. Last week a Detroit judge ruled that the United States Government's federal wiretap program was unconstitutional (the White House received an immediate stay pending an appeal). The White House says it needs this program to fight terror. What's the program? President Bush initiated it after 9/11; I'll give you a highlight.

If the US Government believes that at least one party in the phone conversations might have links to al-Qaeda or another terrorist organization; they can and will tap your phone......without a warrant. This is a very dangerous idea and a very slippery slope to start on. This program scares me. I'll show you why.

The first amendment of the US Constitution says that "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech". Which means that in the United States you can say whatever you want, whenever you want, to whomever you want; no matter how dumb it is.

The fourth amendment says "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

Those amendments were made into law in 1791 and they are still supposed to be in effect. So where does the US President get off violating them? Particularly when his oath of office makes him swear to "serve, protect and defend the constitution of the United States". It is because of this constitution and the legal system's devotion to it that has made the U.S. a democratic stalwart.

So what does it say about the U.S. when it starts to ignore that which it has held most holy?

Luckily Canada isn't yet at that point. However, were I an American citizen I would be outraged.

The "War on Terror" must be fought but not at the expense of the basic rights of the citizenry. I don't mind waiting longer to get on an airplane. I don't mind being restricted on what I can bring to an airport. I don't mind required more documentation to enter the US (like a passport). I do mind the government that listens in on my life just because they THINK that I MIGHT have a LINK to SOME organization they don't like.

How many governments can you think of (past or present) that were able to function as a true democracy where their citizens were afraid to send an email or pick up the phone for fear of Big Brother. Me neither.

What truly, truly frightens me is that the US government will not only continue to get away with this, but that Big Steve up in Ottawa may get some of the same ideas in his head.

If you still aren't concerned about this, then all I can do is apologize because I must not have explained it well enough. This is grown-up table scary stuff.

If you have doubts, see for yourself in one day how many times you do something that might be traced were someone so inclined. It's an eye-opener.

Sleep well.