Happenings

Patriot Act still waiting to be passed, extended, or expired.

*Members of both parties are seeking a 3 month extension of the legislation, so as to mull over various issues related to civil liberties. Captain anti-defeatist hardass is refusing to let this happen. Some GOP senators obey orders, bow to him like sorry little puppies. What is the big deal if this thing is given a three month extension. Why would certain folks be so bent on permanently passing ThePatriotAct??? Shouldn't they have the chance to discuss issues related to this bill? Wouldn't that be the most rational choice? It's not like they're doing away with it-- they just want to talk about it. Oh-- that's right... talking about things = bad; following orders, shutting your mouth = good. Gah. No middle ground for these people. It's all or nothing-- slam the gavel down.


Technology, the NSA, and Big Brother
(link via Slashdot)

*Watching Fox Dayside on Monday, my jaw dropped at the spectacle before me. The jaw-dropping, of course, was preceded by watching the Fox audience give their responses to the prospect of being watched, or spied on, or whatever the hell you want to call it. Across the board, when an audience member was asked for his or her "thoughts" on the matter, the response went something like "I don't mind being watched. We need to give our leader the authority he needs to find the terraists. After all, I'm not doing anything wrong, so why would I mind being watched? He needs this kind of authority-- there are people plotting to destroy us... I don't mind if someone listens to my phone conversations, because I have "appropriate" conversations." ... I couldn't believe I was hearing these things. I suppose, though, why the hell should I fool myself anymore. Then again, this was Fox News, so chances are the crowd wasn't exactly a representative sample of popular opinion in this country. While it would be naive to think that this type of thing hasn't been happening for many years, it is just a bit unsettling to think that someone could be listening to me talk to my mother about the results of her recent colonoscopy, or whatever it may be... give me some privacy, damnitt. To be fair, covert surveillance is undoubtedly necessary at times, but that's why we have something called the Judicial Branch of government-- you know, for checks and balances, and other silly things like that.

Then there's this.

And for something completely unrelated:

Why are you not who you (think you) are?