Even if we concede to the magical thinking that XKeyscore will never be used against an American... [View all]

[Kurska]

Despite clearly having the capacity too be used in such a manner, let us assume that our federal government is full of honorable men that would never do something they said they wouldn't do. Lets say everyone in the higher echelons of power can resist the temptation to look up the entire Internet history of their opponents and blackmail them. Pretend we never ever are dumb enough to elect another Nixon. Hell, go full absolute believing and say that none of the many lay people with access to it will ever abuse it for a personal vendetta.

Let us, briefly, construct some make believe land in our head where this incredibly powerful tool will never be abused against an American, not even once.

Boy, do I have some massive questions still.

Why on earth is it okay for America decide that the rest of the world has zero expectations for privacy? I'm honestly flabbergasted that there are people arguing that this is acceptable, because it won't ever be used against Americans. How is not the pinnacle of imperial hubris to expect everyone else in the world to live in glass houses to be watched by all our seeing eyes for the protect of the USA? What democratic nation on earth would want to be our ally if we strip their citizens of all online privacy (Oh I'm sure there are many authoritarian ones that would love our help with this technology) What nation on earth would want to do business with us or work toward our interests? How on earth can you call yourself a progressive if you want the vast majority of the population on earth to live in total surveillance for the safety of 4%?

When did it suddenly become okay to strip people of all expectation of privacy because of where they were born? Was it the same time the president decided he could unilaterally murder anyone without a united states passport?

When did "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." start only applying to people born on our soil?

And how can we call ourselves anything but evil, if we are resolved to hold the entire world in total surveillance to provide the illusions of safety to our people? Does anyone else remember when America said it was going to spread freedom and Democracy by example and not tyranny and authoritarian surveillance in total secrecy?