13-07-07 US - a passive nation...

The Guardian (UK)

America, Passive Nation -- Why Can't We Stand Up for Ourselves When Our Rights Are Stolen?

America's founders would be horrified at our United States of Surveillance.

July 2, 2013  |  

 

 

I'm a longtime subscriber to an  Internet mail list that features items from smart, thoughtful people. The list editor forwards items he personally finds interesting, often related to technology and/or civil liberties. Not long after the Guardian and Washington Post first started publishing the leaks describing the  National Security Agency's vast surveillancedragnet, an item appeared about a  White House petition urging President Obama to pardon  Edward Snowden. The post brought this reply, among others:

"Once upon a time I would have signed a White House petition to this administration with no qualms. Now, however, a chilling thought occurs: what 'watch lists' will signing a petition like this put me on? NSA? IRS? It's not a paranoid question anymore, in the  United States of Surveillance."

READ MORE:
http://www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/americans-are-afraid-speak?akid=10667.1117888.X8P3YT&rd=1&src=newsletter865337&t=5