The Erosion of Freedom

As a libertarian, I am appalled by this type of behaviour from our government and law enforcement agency's. It is as if 9/11 and the ensuing Patriot Act has given them carte blanche to do whatever they want when it comes to violating citizens civil liberties.

As Bruce Scheiner writes in the Minneapolis Star Tribune

A typical American citizen spending the holidays in Vegas might be surprised to learn that the FBI collected his personal data, but this kind of thing is increasingly common. Since 9/11, the FBI has been collecting all sorts of personal information on ordinary Americans, and it shows no signs of letting up.

Generally, I believe the government should be allowed some lattitude in times of war (or terror) to limit the freedom's of the citizens. This is exactly what President Abraham Lincoln did during the Civil War to prevent local unrest and keep northern sessionists in line. However, when these efforts go to extreme levels and allow the government to begin to track and aggregate information pertaining to individuals and not provide any statutes of limitations then it has gone too far and the people need to respond telling their leaders this is unacceptable.

It is as if the Nixonian era has returned with one major difference. This time it is legal. Not surprising since Karl Rove came to age during the Nixon era of dirty politicing. Coincidence, I don't think so. One can only hope that Mr. Fitzgerald finds enough cause to indict this political worm sooner rather than later.