Government intrusions grow
Trading constitutionally-backed freedoms for “security” is a dangerous path. As a veteran who worked in military security, I am sad at what’s happening.
Federal: NSA snooping, TSA groping, Homeland Security arms buying, and domestic drones flying. It is shocking how many agencies now have their own SWAT teams. The Patriot Act has been conveniently used to prosecute anything under the catch-all term of terrorism. The list goes on and on.
State/Local: Highway checkpoints, forced searches and federalization of police departments through grant money. State legislators appear to have little concern for the Constitution and generally don’t return correspondence on the issue (I have tried repeatedly). Many seem unaware that there is more than the Second Amendment in the Bill of Rights. But they wrap themselves in the flag and label ‘unpatriotic’ anyone who doesn’t fit neatly into their left-or-right political paradigm.
I guess it’s all OK though. I mean, we can watch hours of Hollywood and immerse ourselves in entertainment and sports, and buy slave labor goods down at the local big-box store. Apathy: It’s priceless isn’t it, especially for our kids and grandchildren?
MALCOLM FROOME, Murfreesboro