Things have changed dramatically since the constitution was conceived. Nobody predicted the internet, WMDs (which could easily be smuggled into the country, they're not just movie fiction), and other nations having spying capabilities.
My main thought is that the US must stay ahead of other nations intelligence agencies. Other than protecting myself, my family, and the country I don't really have a good reason for this though.
> My main thought is that the US must stay ahead of other nations intelligence agencies.
The solution to this is to make surveillance hard for everybody. Pass laws and build technologies that make bulk surveillance not only prohibited but impractical regardless of third party lawlessness. The goal is not to thwart only the NSA, that barely accomplishes anything. You also have to thwart China, Russia, organized crime, malicious corporations, etc.
> Things have changed dramatically since the constitution was conceived.
If this is true, why aren't all the NSA apologists trying to promote a constitutional amendment? The drafters of the constitution knew that the original document wouldn't be sufficient for the changing needs in the future, and gave a very clear method to modify tour "highest law".
While I suspect I wouldn't agree with such an amendment, I would certainly give the argument for it a full hearing and debate. Given how mixed attitudes are, it's hard to predict how successful such a proposal would be in practice.
What I do know, for now, is that trying to subvert the constitution's guarantees in an attempt to skip the necessary amendment with "vigilante justice" is at a minimum a violation of some people's oath to defend the constitution. At worst, trying to subvert the constitution (and the guarantees it provides) might even qualify as sedition. Reality is probably somewhere between those points, of course.
I personally think this is a perverse view, leading to weird contradictions like the "Third Party Doctrine".
Given the history of US intelligence agencies (COINTELPRO, SHAMROCK, etc), my main thought is that they're a bigger threat to me, my family and my country than just about anything else.
dm2|11 years ago
My main thought is that the US must stay ahead of other nations intelligence agencies. Other than protecting myself, my family, and the country I don't really have a good reason for this though.
AnthonyMouse|11 years ago
The solution to this is to make surveillance hard for everybody. Pass laws and build technologies that make bulk surveillance not only prohibited but impractical regardless of third party lawlessness. The goal is not to thwart only the NSA, that barely accomplishes anything. You also have to thwart China, Russia, organized crime, malicious corporations, etc.
cowbell|11 years ago
pdkl95|11 years ago
If this is true, why aren't all the NSA apologists trying to promote a constitutional amendment? The drafters of the constitution knew that the original document wouldn't be sufficient for the changing needs in the future, and gave a very clear method to modify tour "highest law".
While I suspect I wouldn't agree with such an amendment, I would certainly give the argument for it a full hearing and debate. Given how mixed attitudes are, it's hard to predict how successful such a proposal would be in practice.
What I do know, for now, is that trying to subvert the constitution's guarantees in an attempt to skip the necessary amendment with "vigilante justice" is at a minimum a violation of some people's oath to defend the constitution. At worst, trying to subvert the constitution (and the guarantees it provides) might even qualify as sedition. Reality is probably somewhere between those points, of course.
bediger4000|11 years ago
That's a truism, but oddly at least one Supreme Court Justice thinks that the US Constitution hasn't changed. See http://www.claremontmckenna.edu/salvatori/publications/RARSc... for some elaboration.
I personally think this is a perverse view, leading to weird contradictions like the "Third Party Doctrine".
Given the history of US intelligence agencies (COINTELPRO, SHAMROCK, etc), my main thought is that they're a bigger threat to me, my family and my country than just about anything else.