Recently, a column on traffic cameras appeared on my blog. It pooh-poohed the use of them and their ticketing drivers for turning right on red lights. I agree that laws are created to protect us. However, the one thing that machine enforcement of laws lacks is common sense. If a person turns right on a red light when no traffic is coming, is he or she breaking the law? Technically, the answer is yes, but with a little common sense, the answer is no. It’s a good bet that a policeman won’t issue a ticket under that circumstance.
To say that traffic cameras should snap photos of so-called violation and then have a company issue a ticket because it’s the law is giving in to something that just doesn’t seem okay. No, it’s not right that a machine should eyeball us and then make the decision as to whether we should or shouldn’t be punished.
After 9/11, our government passed the Patriot Act. One part included roving wiretaps. It allowed one wiretap authorization to cover multiple devices, eliminating the need for separate court authorizations for a suspect's cell phone, PC and Blackberry, and other things. Another allowed "Sneak and peek" search warrants, which let authorities search a home or business without immediately notifying the target of a probe.
Too many citizens panicked and agreed that such things be allowed to continue in this country. I’m not at all for that. I expect plenty of grief from others who disagree. Allowing any governmental department to illegally search my property or to invade my privacy just to keep tabs on me is unacceptable. Some would say those acts keep me safe. I say to you, the right to bear arms was included in our fabric during a time when the U.S. was in its infancy and subject to attack from England. Like this act, it no longer applies since we no longer are threatened by an opposing army and especially because our country has the most sophisticated and expensive defense on the planet, one that spends more that all other countries combined.
What we citizens must guard against is giving up control over our lives. Now, plenty of people carp about too much government control, but at the same time, they are all for allowing parts of the Patriot Act to become permanent. They say a person has nothing to worry about unless he is guilty of a crime. At present that might be true, but at some point in the future such laws can be used against all, innocent and guilty alike.
Our government at present is unable to come together to do anything that helps the citizens. The economy is in the tank, and the super committee in charge of making recommendations couldn’t agree on a lunch menu, not to mention on cuts in all areas of spending. Why in the name of sense would anyone give that incompetent government access to the personal parts of our lives? If we don’t wake up and question invasions of our privacy, then George Orwell’s “Big Brother” will arrive at our doorsteps before we realize it. It might already be too late.
I’m never going to argue with folks about possessing firearms, more specifically assault weapons because neither side will ever convince the other of its wrong thinking. However, let’s wake up and be alert to what laws actually do to our liberties and personal lives. It’s the duty of a diligent citizenry and the safeguard of freedom.
2 comments:
Joe
Good to see you have finally become anti-government. You are right - keep the Federal government out of our private lives in EVERY aspect. Next I see you coming around on the dangers and nonsense of unions. Your becoming bright in your retirement days.
See 'ya at the next Tea Party meeting.
Have at it, friend! I couldn't agree more! Funny how our government can keep track of every cow and now, it seems, desires to do the same with every citizen, yet they apparently can't keep track of themselves. What a mess.
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