“In 1970, he approved the top-secret Huston Plan, authorizing the CIA, the FBI and military intelligence units to intensify electronic surveillance of individuals identified as “domestic security threats.” The plan called for, among other things, intercepting mail and lifting restrictions on “surreptitious entry” — that is, break-ins or “black bag jobs.” Thomas Charles Huston, the White House aide who devised the plan, informed Nixon that it was illegal, but the president approved it regardless.”
Doesn’t this sound a lot like the Patriot Act? Which the left consistently opposed when W. was in office. Not so much with Obama, but that’s not the point. What amazes me is that we citizens have surrendered our rights for safety. 2001 did it. What was viewed by some as a heinous crime, in 1972-73, is now an actual law. And it’s worse now because the technology is so great now the government can virtually watch every move you make, hear every word you say. Of course,”if you have nothing to hide . . .” Said the Gestapo, the KGB, and every other tyranny. Not that I am equating any of our politicians today with those groups, but losing your right to privacy is a first step towards losing them all.
Actually, the “I-have-nothing-to-hide so-they-won’t-be-doing-this-to-me” ostriches should stop and wonder:
Since our government refuses to profile at the airports, and treats us all ‘the same’, what makes you think your number might not come up in some random search by a government computer program, and they’ll spy on you? Think that’s too outlandish? Just look at how much we’ve changed as free Americans since 1972.
I’ve lived it. I know.
