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In reply to the discussion: Funny thing about The Guardian, [View all]TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)at least Eisenhower. All governments claim not to spy on their citizens while spying on them nonetheless. It's not like STASI paying informants in every community, but not all that far from from it-- witness the pressure put on honest citizens by McCarthy to turn others in. It still happens, but quietly through deals with prosecutors that you can't refuse...
Put yourself in the position of having a potential way to stop another 9/11 that's skirting the law and our historical privacy ideals. Would you really risk another tragedy that you thought could be averted?
There is no clear answer-- it is a dilemma, but one that is lived with and has to be dealt with by those in charge.
If they haven't used these powers for "evil" lighten up and discuss the question openly without kneejerk attacks.
And, no, they are not that smart, most of them, but they are opportunistic and have some very good propagandists who are not saddled with complaints from their base.
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