Eventually they will. I just hope our government doesn't devolve completely into a totalitarian state before the unwashed masses clue in and fight for their civil rights back. "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety," was what Benjamin Franklin said, and I couldn't agree with him more. I'm just hoping the American Idol-loving morons out there clue in sooner rather than later.
I little inflamatory and perhaps over the edge just a tiny bit, but your point is well taken. Personally, I don't think Bush is that power-mad or corrupt. I think he's just stupid. I think it's the people behind Bush who don't want to lose power. Of course, by this point, Bush probably wants to hold onto that power as well, but only because other people have told him it's necessary to do so in order to "keep the nation safe."
As staunch a privacy advocate as I am, I can actually see this being of use. I mean come on, it would be nice if the FBI could wiretap at a moment's notice in case of an emergency. However, that being said, there should be some VERY stringent guidelines and, even more importantly, independent oversight of the process. There's no way the same people who issue and enforce the wiretaps should also be in charge of overseeing the legality of the process.
I've always said that the government might have the very best of intentions for not abusing the powers they give themselves, and they might even mean it and might not ever abuse those powers! That being said, who's to say the next administration, or the one after that isn't going to abuse those overly-broad powers you've now given the government. There should ALWAYS be appropriate oversight and control of these programs. Our government was built on a whole system of independent checks and balances. It was a good idea then and it's still a good idea now.
...congratulations, guys! Take it from a techie who's been married over 6 deleriously happy years that it's worth it! I'm married to another geek, myself.;)
My only advice (and I really hope you read this) ALWAYS talk things out and NEVER go to bed angry.
Oh, I guess I have one more: go to an Irish store if you can, one with Belleek china. Buy a thing called a 'Peace Bell'. If you are having an argument, you ring the bell and the argument is agreed to be over, neither person has to say they're sorry and all is forgiven, end of story, end of fight.
My wife and I have one of those bells and it has saved our marriage more than once, but now after 6 years and more, we don't even need it anymore to stop fighting.
Slashdot Mirror
Eventually they will. I just hope our government doesn't devolve completely into a totalitarian state before the unwashed masses clue in and fight for their civil rights back. "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety," was what Benjamin Franklin said, and I couldn't agree with him more. I'm just hoping the American Idol-loving morons out there clue in sooner rather than later.
I little inflamatory and perhaps over the edge just a tiny bit, but your point is well taken. Personally, I don't think Bush is that power-mad or corrupt. I think he's just stupid. I think it's the people behind Bush who don't want to lose power. Of course, by this point, Bush probably wants to hold onto that power as well, but only because other people have told him it's necessary to do so in order to "keep the nation safe."
Clue ftw! Yes!
As staunch a privacy advocate as I am, I can actually see this being of use. I mean come on, it would be nice if the FBI could wiretap at a moment's notice in case of an emergency. However, that being said, there should be some VERY stringent guidelines and, even more importantly, independent oversight of the process. There's no way the same people who issue and enforce the wiretaps should also be in charge of overseeing the legality of the process.
I've always said that the government might have the very best of intentions for not abusing the powers they give themselves, and they might even mean it and might not ever abuse those powers! That being said, who's to say the next administration, or the one after that isn't going to abuse those overly-broad powers you've now given the government. There should ALWAYS be appropriate oversight and control of these programs. Our government was built on a whole system of independent checks and balances. It was a good idea then and it's still a good idea now.
Excuse me? What about this? http://www.lucasarts.com/ep3/indexFlash.html#home
...congratulations, guys! Take it from a techie who's been married over 6 deleriously happy years that it's worth it! I'm married to another geek, myself. ;)
My only advice (and I really hope you read this) ALWAYS talk things out and NEVER go to bed angry.
Oh, I guess I have one more: go to an Irish store if you can, one with Belleek china. Buy a thing called a 'Peace Bell'. If you are having an argument, you ring the bell and the argument is agreed to be over, neither person has to say they're sorry and all is forgiven, end of story, end of fight.
My wife and I have one of those bells and it has saved our marriage more than once, but now after 6 years and more, we don't even need it anymore to stop fighting.
Good luck and don't give up on it!
-Jax
Tell me...is it just me, or is this thread simply looking more and more like a chapter out of a book by Douglas Adams?
Quick! Someone get me an atomic vector plotter and a nice, hot cup of tea!