Ahem.A bit of background information for younger readers:As incredible as it may sound nowadays, back in those days everyone was concerned that the USA was spying on them.
Back then nobody really was concerned about whether the US was taking pictures of Americans. Pre 9/11, nobody thought the government had any real reason to monitor Americans. The US undoubtedly was using satellites to spy on the godless communists, and that troubled American leftists.
If the surveillance issues we have now were reveled 30 years ago, there would have been rioting in the streets and the White House would be a smouldering pile of rubble. We have been slowly “conditioned” to accept that Govt ease-dropping is “good for us” and “keeps the bad guys out”. 20 years from now? AV surveillance will be smaller than a gnat and exist everywhere on earth, with several spy-gnats (you heard it here first!) in each room of your home, including your bedroom. Give ‘em an inch, they’ll take 10 miles. It’s coming folks and we will welcome it after it is wrapped and marketed as the “patriotic thing to do”. Against surveillance? Then you are a commie and an enemy of the state! Shades of Nazi Germany. Safe to say that Bin Laden will have won.
The actuarial odds of being a victim of a terrorist attack is one in 1.4 million. Yet the thought of this causes Americans to crap themselves and readily give up their Bill of Rights; over 60% believe the NSA spy program is a good thing.
Ottodesu over 10 years ago
Ahem.A bit of background information for younger readers:As incredible as it may sound nowadays, back in those days everyone was concerned that the USA was spying on them.
edclectic over 10 years ago
The eye in the sky.
Sisyphos over 10 years ago
Opus, where’er ye be today, you’re so lucky for your heart’s sake not to be around in the Snowdon era….
Brian Fink over 10 years ago
Ahhh the more things change, the more they stay the same.
jbmlaw01 over 10 years ago
Back then nobody really was concerned about whether the US was taking pictures of Americans. Pre 9/11, nobody thought the government had any real reason to monitor Americans. The US undoubtedly was using satellites to spy on the godless communists, and that troubled American leftists.
Raygun over 10 years ago
If the surveillance issues we have now were reveled 30 years ago, there would have been rioting in the streets and the White House would be a smouldering pile of rubble. We have been slowly “conditioned” to accept that Govt ease-dropping is “good for us” and “keeps the bad guys out”. 20 years from now? AV surveillance will be smaller than a gnat and exist everywhere on earth, with several spy-gnats (you heard it here first!) in each room of your home, including your bedroom. Give ‘em an inch, they’ll take 10 miles. It’s coming folks and we will welcome it after it is wrapped and marketed as the “patriotic thing to do”. Against surveillance? Then you are a commie and an enemy of the state! Shades of Nazi Germany. Safe to say that Bin Laden will have won.
shipl14 over 10 years ago
They don’t have to watch you. Why would they? They just have to make you believe they are watching.
elbeck over 10 years ago
The actuarial odds of being a victim of a terrorist attack is one in 1.4 million. Yet the thought of this causes Americans to crap themselves and readily give up their Bill of Rights; over 60% believe the NSA spy program is a good thing.
God help America.
luvdafuneez over 10 years ago
Especially, the likes of YOU…
edclectic over 10 years ago
Spying: the world’s second oldest profession.