| | Now This Is Going Too FarIn the past, I have had no problem with the government intercepting and electronically analyzing phone conversations. No transmissions were actually being listened to, and only digital patterns that indicated possible illegal activity ever raised any flags.
I have complained about the level of security at airports. It is ridiculous and shows no regard for a healthy balance between the need for security and for customer convenience. Most frequent flyers, however, have indicated a willingness to tolerate this inconvenience in the interest of getting to their destinations.
But now the Homeland Security Office has gone too far. It is not just searching the shoes of little old ladies; it has started searching the data on private laptop computers and the names stored in cell phones. It is also copying any text messages found on cell phones and reviewing corporate proprietary information in email messages on laptops along with data in Word and Excel Files. Equipment is actually being confiscated for review, and is often not being returned. The TSA has even grabbed MP3 players and ipods for data review. Ellen Nakashima of The Washington Post has published more about this ativity today. Here is the link.
This is a clear violation of individual and corporate rights, because it goes beyond electronic surveillance and involves illegal seizure of private property. I have no doubt that the courts will find this activity unconstitutional once it is challenged. What I don't understand is why these actions have not been challenged to this point.
Folks, this is the tipping point, I think, where we must draw the line in the sand and say enough is enough. |
| | Posted 2/7/2008 7:24 PM - 16 comments
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