Give Me Liberty, or…
This post is not only about Atlanta, but affects the whole country. America is going through a serious transition right now, and has been for some years now. My main concern throughout this pivotal time has been the apparent loss of common civil liberties that are protected by the Constitution – or are supposed to be protected and currently are not. When I talk to my mother, who came to this country when she was 16, she says in a forlorn voice, “This is not the country I grew up in.”
Since 9/11, every time I go to the airport, I am “randomly selected” for extended searches. And I mean every single time. I wonder if that has anything to do with my tannish, medium-toned complexion and dark hair. Perhaps it’s the fact that I often wear robe-like tops with skirt-like pants underneath. Or maybe it’s because the books I take out from the library are related to public concerns such as those mentioned here, and I have been placed on a list of possible suspects for terrorism.
If you don’t already know about the threat to our civil liberties, or are only somewhat informed, I urge you to rent the film Unconstitutional. This is not a movie featuring a bunch of raving Leftists who simply want to hear themselves jabber. The film presents information as it comes directly from the mouths of people within the government, who have witnessed the disturbing occurrences first-hand, and are not happy with what they have seen.
For information about the film, visit this website.
Unfortunately, I think its going to take a big event or scandal to wake people up to this. Hopefully it will not be too late. I think an interesting parallel is the “blogger/techie” community online. The immediately attack anything that compromises privacy and individual rights in the medium
(see lately:)
http://apple.slashdot.org/apple/06/01/12/1513223.shtml
Will we ever get to a point as people living in this country to stand up to power and defend our rights? Power cedes nothing without a fight. Ever.
The majority of the people in this country are too weak and lazy to fight against the government. We, as a nation, are content to live what we believe to be an unencumered life. Among other things, we have tolerated taxes on our salary, homes, purchases, etc. The government has well overreached its bounds as laid down by the Constitution and will never ever cede those powers. And the people will continue to accept it.
It’s good to hear from people who see what’s happening. But I fear that Tony MC is right, and America will sit back and take it.
I just want to get something straight here so that we can avoid an immature firestorm of negative comments. It seems that someone thinks we need to: “Take an hour and seek out some people outside [our] bubble and talk to them about their thoughts, feelings, hopes and dreams.” They also seem to think the view expressed so far reflect name-calling and Libertarian whitewash. I see disenchantment, yes, but I also see what is a growing perception about the “typical American.” And to those of you who want to start a verbal war over the fact that some of us are in fact disenchanted with the state of things: I don’t know about all others who share my feelings, but I and those close to me do not live in a bubble, and we do make a serious effort, through our conversations, our art and our communications (such as blog posts) to reach out to others. For instance, by notifying others about an informative public interest video.
Thanks for the film recommendation. I’ll have to check that out. Hopefully those types of films and brave comments like the ones here will help Americans to open their eyes and hearts to what is currently going on.
I am a white businessman and I get pulled for a random search every time at the airport as well while I am wearing my suit. I actually think the security at the airport is worthless but to call it indicative of the lack of civil rights in this country is a bit overblown don’t you think?
That’s awesome. Aradia’s sounding the alarm about our eroding civil liberties, and all Tony can think about is paying too much tax. :-P
Welcome to MY America, Aradia! Unfortunately, that which you describe isn’t “news” to black folks..it is what it is.
We’ve been going through this for years, hate to say it but nothing is going to change until white folks are affected by it. And by affected, I mean when their pockets take a hit …
Of course, by white folks I mean the power structure…of course!
Common civil liberties? I think actions are taken by our president and administration to protect us after we have been attacked and threatened by terrorists. If you don’t dig being searched at the airport or like it when you call your al kaida buddies overseas and the phone is tapped, well then find another way to meet with them.
I for one enjoy not being blown up when I get off the airplane. Oooh, but the threat to our civil liberties!! We are in a war even though some of you are just in a big movie.
Oh yes, I agree that taxes are too high and overreaching as well. But those who stay informed and active to government are not so quick to be won over by propaganda films by folks who are still sore that Kerry lost the election.
“kate.” there is much fear in you. but you do not have to give into that fear. come out from under the bed. you are 24 times more likely to be blown up by an overdose of Advil than by a terrorist. Think about that.
The US could have a 2000% increase in non-prescription medicine deaths and you would still be less likely to be killed by an act of terrorism. The odds of your death being caused by poor eating habits is 1264 times more likely than terrorism. Auto accident: 85 to 1.
Would you be willing to spend billions of dollars in a War on Obesity? Or have the FBI check your medicine cabinet each week to make sure your not taking too much Tylenol? Or ship Dodge executives to Gitmo because their cars aren’t safe enough?
Seriously, get over your fear. Just get over it. You are going to die of something one day; everyone will. Our freedoms and liberties though, those should last forever. They are what make life as an American actually worth living.
There can be no justification for taking away one bit of freedom, for such a miniscule endeavor. So, “Kate” take your fearful and hateful and cowardly rhetoric and stuff it. Life’s more fun when you’re free.
The founders of our country faced dire threats. If they failed in their endeavors, they would have been hung as traitors. The very existence of our country was at risk.
Yet, in the teeth of those dangers, they insisted on establishing the Bill of Rights.
Is our Congress today in more danger than were their predecessors when the British army was marching on the Capitol? Is the world more dangerous than when we faced an ideological enemy with tens of thousands of missiles poised to be launched against us and annihilate our country at a moment’s notice? Is America in more danger now than when we faced worldwide fascism on the march-when our fathers fought and won two World Wars simultaneously?
It is simply an insult to those who came before us and sacrificed so much on our behalf to imply that we have more to be fearful of than they. Yet they faithfully protected our freedoms and now it is up to us to do the same.