I've got a few pages/articles open right now mostly relating to privacy and the politics thereof. They each really deserve their own post, but I'm pretty sure I'll never get around to it. So, I'm just presenting them here.
The Value of Privacy by Bruce Schneier
In this article, Bruce Schneier explains why privacy advocates usually make the wrong arguments when discussing government attacks on our right to privacy.
Some clever answers [given by privacy rights advocates]: "If I'm not doing anything wrong, then you have no cause to watch me." "Because the government gets to define what's wrong, and they keep changing the definition." "Because you might do something wrong with my information." My problem with quips like these -- as right as they are -- is that they accept the premise that privacy is about hiding a wrong. It's not. Privacy is an inherent human right, and a requirement for maintaining the human condition with dignity and respect.
Message for '08 Dems: Only cowards think we're at war
This article is quite provocative in that it attacks the very idea that the country is at war.
But America is not under attack by an enemy force of any significance. We got sucker punched by 19 maniacs with box cutters. Republicans want us to run scared because of that for the rest of our lives. But the thing about a sucker punch is that you can't protect yourself against it. Any idiot can take the breath out of you, no matter how tough you are. But only cowards -- actually I think "scaredy cat" is more appropriate here -- live their lives worrying about such things. Of course you've got to do your best to stay alert -- in this context that means port, air and many other types of security. But freaking out and becoming paranoid leaves you more vulnerable, not more protected.
My last tidbit is not really an article, but a subversive ringtone that
Gary played for me and that is too good to not post about. It's written and performed by
They Might Be Giants and is pure genious. Here are the lyrics:
Call connected through the NSA/Complete transmission through the NSA/Suspending your rights through the duration of the permanent war
Buy the ringtone or
download mp3 (
via)
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