Govt Eavesdropping

[Gator]

What's everyone's thought on this? Here is mine. We live in changing times, there are people out there that want to kill is anyway possible. If the govt feels the need to listen in to cell phone conversations, so be it. I for one have nothing to hide, so let'em listen all they want. The President said it best the other day, saying that his #1 job is to protect the United States of America.

[hutchies]

I agree with you gator but I also think that people the government could read the wrong things out of people on the phone joking around.

[LifeNRA]

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I for one have nothing to hide, so let'em listen all they want.

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Me too!!! I could care less!!! Although the Libs and Dems are freaking over this! Sounds like they might have something to hide! LOL!!!

[Gator]

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I agree with you gator but I also think that people the government could read the wrong things out of people on the phone joking around.

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Yeah, that's true to, but I would venture to guess that the govt would do some kinda background investigation either before listening, or even after hearing something to know for sure whether what they heard was in fact viable or bs

[horst]

So wheres it supposed to stop then?Their wiretaps seem to be a hot topic right now as to weather they were legal or not.

Theyre pouring through our internet records right now, at least from the search engines that turned the records over.

Listening in on cell phone calls would be the next logical step I suppose.Then home invasions without warrants would logicaly follow I suppose.Im only half joking about that.I guesse I dont need to be made to feel safe that badly.The odds of of the terrorist targeting me for an attack are astronomical.The odds of the government taking something outta context or getting something screwed up in thier computer and labeling me as a suspected terrorist are much greater IMO.Except the terrorists move on when theyre done, the government will hound you forever.Im not willing to give up any more rights for that .

[okbowman]

There has to be some criteria for what they can use that they hear on these wiretaps! You could even make the argument that if they outlaw guns, you could be in trouble and be a target for this if they suspect you had guns in your home, you would then be a "terrorist".

That said, I support them listening to phone calls to or from anyone suspected to be in cahoots with Al Queda!

[dg]

I've got nothing to hide. If they want to hear about my 3d shoot or latest hunting escapade with my GA buddy, SO BE IT!

[buckee]

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I for one have nothing to hide, so let'em listen all they want.

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Exactly.
They aren't going to be looking for little comments made by citizens and calling them on it. GEESH, do you realize how much man-power, money, and time that would take. They are looking for the obvious stuff, not Joe citizen, making some snide comment about the government, etc.

[Nut]

[ QUOTE ]
So wheres it supposed to stop then?Their wiretaps seem to be a hot topic right now as to weather they were legal or not.

Theyre pouring through our internet records right now, at least from the search engines that turned the records over.

Listening in on cell phone calls would be the next logical step I suppose.Then home invasions without warrants would logicaly follow I suppose.Im only half joking about that.I guesse I dont need to be made to feel safe that badly.The odds of of the terrorist targeting me for an attack are astronomical.The odds of the government taking something outta context or getting something screwed up in thier computer and labeling me as a suspected terrorist are much greater IMO.Except the terrorists move on when theyre done, the government will hound you forever.Im not willing to give up any more rights for that .

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I agree.

Now what was that quote from Ben Franklin?

[Nut]

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They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

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[slugshooter]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
So wheres it supposed to stop then?Their wiretaps seem to be a hot topic right now as to weather they were legal or not.

Theyre pouring through our internet records right now, at least from the search engines that turned the records over.

Listening in on cell phone calls would be the next logical step I suppose.Then home invasions without warrants would logicaly follow I suppose.Im only half joking about that.I guesse I dont need to be made to feel safe that badly.The odds of of the terrorist targeting me for an attack are astronomical.The odds of the government taking something outta context or getting something screwed up in thier computer and labeling me as a suspected terrorist are much greater IMO.Except the terrorists move on when theyre done, the government will hound you forever.Im not willing to give up any more rights for that .

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I agree.

Now what was that quote from Ben Franklin?

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"Those who would sacrifice freedom for security deserve NEITHER!!!" (emphasis mine)

[slugshooter]

I also have nothing to hide, but that is most certainly not the point. The constitution guarantees the right for citizens to be free from unreasonable search and seizure. I am currently taking a class called "Terrorism and the Homeland Security Response," now I have tons of reading and research to do for this class, lets say I have to research a specific WMD and write about it, technical stuff, I go on the internet and do all types of research, well, since the government wants to know who has been looking at those sites, I am now on a watch list because I have been researching how to make a WMD. The same goes for telephone conversations, who is to say that the wiretaps have only been used to monitor terrorists. There is too much leeway for misuse of the information they receive during the wiretaps. Whats the old saying "give em an inch and they'll take a foot?" Like I said, I have nothing to hide, but why should I be apprehensive about anything I say on the phone or type in e-mail because big brother is watching. That is not security, that is a police state.

[AllArmyoutdoorsSD]

I am no expert, But I imagine that the Govt has specific criteria, or profile of certain targets that are being watched. I have a hard time believing that the entire country is being listened to. I know in the past presidents have made the call to take drastic measures in order to maintain control in their country. IMO wire tapping isn't something that I would stress out about, if you ask me it is just another political ploy to place the focus of the American people away from anything that might actualy make the President look good.

[Gator]

So for all against the wire taps or eavesdropping, whatever you call it, IF, and I mean IF, 1 phone conversation could possibly prevent something along the lines of 9-11, you would still be against that practice? Like a couple of others have said, I am sure there is a "profile" of people that they will want to monitor, not just some Joe Citizen.

[slugshooter]

The main problem is that the administration circumvented the law to utilize these wiretaps. As we all know, even the president is not above the law as proven with the Lewinsky and Watergate scandals. If there are specific targets then get the required authorization. Just because you are the president doesn't mean you should be able to order wiretaps on US citizens without sufficient cause. Besides, what would blanket wiretapping serve, it would create too much work for our government, who knows how long it would take to sort through it all.