Reading an interesting WSJ article about an Obama administration counterterrorism program which allows examination of the government files of all US citizens for possible (that’s the part which should worry you) criminal behavior, even if there’s no reason to suspect them. The article also referenced the 2002 Total Information Awareness program promoted by then DARPA director John Poindexter, which was widely criticized at the time. Here’s my view from 2002:
He who sacrifices freedom for security deserves neither.
I didn’t know this but the actual Benjamin Franklin quote is “Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety” or; “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety”.
Anyway, the Petreaus still-evolving mess has brought up the issue of surveillance and how far it reaches into our private lives. Glenn Greenwald over at The Guardian has great column about it.
Just read an article about Sheldon Adelson, the Las Vegas billionaire who has spent more than $50 million supporting republicans in the 2012 elections.
