Time to tame the NSA behemoth trampling our rights by Yochai Benkler.
From the post:
The spate of new NSA disclosures substantially raises the stakes of this debate. We now know that the intelligence establishment systematically undermines oversight by lying to both Congress and the courts. We know that the NSA infiltrates internet standard-setting processes to security protocols that make surveillance harder. We know that the NSA uses persuasion, subterfuge, and legal coercion to distort software and hardware product design by commercial companies.
We have learned that in pursuit of its bureaucratic mission to obtain signals intelligence in a pervasively networked world, the NSA has mounted a systematic campaign against the foundations of American power: constitutional checks and balances, technological leadership, and market entrepreneurship. The NSA scandal is no longer about privacy, or a particular violation of constitutional or legislative obligations. The American body politic is suffering a severe case of auto-immune disease: our defense system is attacking other critical systems of our body.
The NSA and its fellows are dismantling the U.S. Constitution and American culture in the name of saving us all.
While I doubt the honesty of the contractors and sycophants attached to the intelligence community by its money teat, I am sure there are many government staffers who are completely sincere in their fear of terrorism. Even though it is quite unreasonable.
Gun numbers are always soft but consider:
In 2010, guns took the lives of 31,076 Americans in homicides, suicides and unintentional shootings. This is the equivalent of more than 85 deaths each day and more than three deaths each hour. (Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence)
That’s the equivalent of 10 World Trade Tower bombings every year in terms of casualties. Every year. 9/11 x 10 from gun violence.
But it’s true, we were attacked. And our immune system responded completely disproportionately to the attack. We destabilized two countries, lost more in casualties than in the original attack, repealed most of our bill of rights, etc.
Now more than twelve (12) years later our intelligence services are still jumping at shadows and pressing for more security measures and less rights.
No one can prove that terrorists aren’t “out there,” but their remarkable lack of success is some indication that it isn’t a serious problem.
Consider the recent mall attack in Kenya.
First, can you find Kenya on a map? Anywhere close to the United States? I didn’t think so.
Second, and the casualties? More than sixty (60) dead? That less than four days of gun deaths in the United States.
I’m sorry the people in Kenya are dead but I am also sorry about the ongoing gun casualties in the United States.
If and when terrorism becomes a serious problem, then we can look for solutions.
Looking for solutions to fantasy attackers is a sure recipe for national bankruptcy and ruin.