Comments on: FBI Net-wiretapping rules face challenges

Rules demanding that Internet providers and universities rewire their networks for FBI surveillance are being challenged in federal court.

[PolarUpgrade]

U.S. attempt similar to "Lawful Access" scheme in Canada

U.S. critics might be well advised to note that the U.S. attempt to limit citizen freedom by the back door is quite similar to a Canadian government attempt at broadening "Lawful Access" in Canada about three years ago. A few weeks ago the Canadian Liberal government in Ottawa announced it is making another ill-advised run at "Lawful Access." I personally filed an objection to the earlier Canadian proposal, which was one of about 300 objections lodged by Canadians re the Canadian "Lawful Access" fiasco (see http://tinyurl.com/c9c58)

In both countries there seems to be a quite artificial, and indeed almost childish, insistence on the need for such changes, even though they amount to killing the patient to fight the disease in terms of the practical effect on citizen liberty.

Arguing that increasing the spying efficiency of governments is wrong just because it is too costly misses the point. It is wrong because it assails the privacy and also the overall liberty of the citizen.

[PolarUpgrade]

U.S. attempt similar to "Lawful Access" scheme in Canada

U.S. critics might be well advised to note that the U.S. attempt to limit citizen freedom by the back door is quite similar to a Canadian government attempt at broadening "Lawful Access" in Canada about three years ago. A few weeks ago the Canadian Liberal government in Ottawa announced it is making another ill-advised run at "Lawful Access." I personally filed an objection to the earlier Canadian proposal, which was one of about 300 objections lodged by Canadians re the Canadian "Lawful Access" fiasco (see http://tinyurl.com/c9c58)

In both countries there seems to be a quite artificial, and indeed almost childish, insistence on the need for such changes, even though they amount to killing the patient to fight the disease in terms of the practical effect on citizen liberty.

Arguing that increasing the spying efficiency of governments is wrong just because it is too costly misses the point. It is wrong because it assails the privacy and also the overall liberty of the citizen.

[bwithnell]

Shades of King George

The revolutionary war was fought because the citizens of this country were being treated in a way contrary to English law. The king was violating the law of the land. Now we have yet another example of the ?king? violating the law of the land. When our officials make an attempt to extend the regulations past the authority of law, they are in a sense acting treasonously; those officials are subverting the process that is within the constitution that establishes law. The best check I can see against bureaucratic tyranny is to hold them accountable. Those that attempt to force rules that are struck down should automatically have charges brought up by an independent council that seeks to assure the government does not overstep its legal bounds.

[bwithnell]

Shades of King George

The revolutionary war was fought because the citizens of this country were being treated in a way contrary to English law. The king was violating the law of the land. Now we have yet another example of the ?king? violating the law of the land. When our officials make an attempt to extend the regulations past the authority of law, they are in a sense acting treasonously; those officials are subverting the process that is within the constitution that establishes law. The best check I can see against bureaucratic tyranny is to hold them accountable. Those that attempt to force rules that are struck down should automatically have charges brought up by an independent council that seeks to assure the government does not overstep its legal bounds.

[casper2004]

Can you spell censorship?

Well, this is just another attempt to drag the USA into the new world order.

[casper2004]

Can you spell censorship?

Well, this is just another attempt to drag the USA into the new world order.

[kenny-J]

Quandry

There is a quandry here with all the recent news about how terrorists groups use the internet without detection to train and plot attacks. My problem is not that this activity needs to be monitored, but that the US Government and particularly its various law enforcement arms have demonstrated a zeal for violating privacy and liberty of citizens remotely suspected of engaging in illegal activity, and using their authority for personal gains. Judges that grant warrants are not a check & balance because they are not intelligent enough to look past the "evidence" presented them. Accountability is key--any bureaucrat, law enforcement or not, should be held to damages when they take unwarranted action against a citizen, but, by laws that they passed in their own interest, they are shielded Let's really fight the war on terror and get rid of illegal immigrants, tighten our immigration policies, and secure our borders.

[kenny-J]

Quandry

There is a quandry here with all the recent news about how terrorists groups use the internet without detection to train and plot attacks. My problem is not that this activity needs to be monitored, but that the US Government and particularly its various law enforcement arms have demonstrated a zeal for violating privacy and liberty of citizens remotely suspected of engaging in illegal activity, and using their authority for personal gains. Judges that grant warrants are not a check & balance because they are not intelligent enough to look past the "evidence" presented them. Accountability is key--any bureaucrat, law enforcement or not, should be held to damages when they take unwarranted action against a citizen, but, by laws that they passed in their own interest, they are shielded Let's really fight the war on terror and get rid of illegal immigrants, tighten our immigration policies, and secure our borders.