The Whistle of a Distant Train

I'm not a fan of Jesse Helms, but in the wake of his death I read a quote of his that I actually agree with. In a 1959 editorial, Helms was quoted as saying:

"Compromise, hell! That's what has happened to us all down the line ? and that's the very cause of our woes. If freedom is right and tyranny is wrong, why should those who believe in freedom treat it as if it were a roll of bologna to be bartered a slice at a time?"

What happened today with the signing of the amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) is another slice of freedom being doled out in the name of security. Since 9/11 there has been a constant digression of civil liberties in this country, most visibly incorporated in the sardonically named "Patriot Act". Since that time, it has allowed government agents to wiretap phones, intercept emails, rifle through medical records, check bank accounts and academic records, largely without oversight and judicial review. People have been wrongfully arrested/imprisoned or are unable to travel because they have been placed on "no-fly" lists because their names are similar to persons of interest.

The FISA amendments contain a blanket immunity provision to protect private telecommunications companies from being prosecuted for carrying out illegal surveillance of private citizens. I am deeply concerned at giving any type of blanket immunity because it creates a moral hazard that encourages abuse. As Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) puts it, there's nothing to fear unless you have Al Qaeda on your speed dial". Good show Senator Bond; just label everyone who is concerned about the subjugation of their civil rights as terrorists. Hell, maybe Toby Keith will make a song about it for you (perhaps one where you are putting a boot into their asses).

I mention this topic in my class every semester and every semester people are generally indifferent to most of their civil liberties. God help you if you want to take away their guns, but they really could care less if the government listens to their emails or phone calls. This is probably because they feel like it will never happen to them (and they are probably right). I know I wouldn't want to listen to them droll on about Soulja Boy or whatever forgettable tripe is on "the MTV" nowadays. *shakes cane disapprovingly*

The slow but steady incremental unraveling of the Bill of Rights in the name of security is disturbing . Who knows how this dramatic expansion of government surveillance will be abused. Perhaps it will be used to spy on domestic political dissent or members of political parties. Its almost as if they are re-establishing a more formal version of COINTELPRO. I must say I am thoroughly disappointed in both Democrats and Republicans for passing this.