

U.S. surveillance of citizens explodes with a wealth of records requests


I. American Spying on Citizens Hits Record High 










U.S. Police




Source: The New York Times

Comments     Threshold


By MadMan007 on 7/9/2012 3:11:03 PM , Rating: 1
"...the need for civil liberties outweighs the need to preserve safety."

^ correction for you, FBI.

RE: correction
By joex444 on 7/9/2012 4:03:22 PM , Rating: 2
Damn straight.

I'll say that I've lived in Switzerland for the last year and am returning back to the US. Lots and lots of times Americans are quick to turn a Europe vs America match into ridiculous arguments; I suppose the entire notion is ridiculous. The two cultures are just so vastly different. But I particularly enjoy how Europeans as a whole haven't changed their lifestyle and priorities in this "terrorism" era. Outside a few successful efforts, I think the bulk of it is made up propaganda to usher us into a more stratified class structure. Why? Because they can. Who? You know who -- our friendly bought and paid for congressman.

RE: correction
By Reclaimer77 on 7/9/2012 4:10:21 PM , Rating: 2
Yeah go live in Eastern Europe and you might have a different opinion. Switzerland is Euro-Lite :P

Secondly, okay, good argument. Let's fly a plane into the Eiffel tower or Buckingham Palace and see if that doesn't cause a few changes.


And yet, you just did that by slamming America and labeling us as over-reactionary fearmongers. England and Europe has made LOTS of changes and has participated in the "war on terror" as well, you're being biased and not reporting the facts.

I also laugh at your "class structure" comment, considering how many places in Europe your status is impacted depending on what family you're born into or province you're from.

RE: correction
By Galcobar on 7/10/2012 1:25:45 AM , Rating: 2

That was already attempted, actually.

Your argument is that Europe hasn't changed its habits because it hasn't had to deal with dramatic instances of terrorist destruction?

The whole reason 9/11 was a big deal was because it was something new for the U.S. -- but not something new for the world.

The UK has dealt with major terrorist attacks for decades. The IRA and its splinter groups for instance, which last killed in 2009. Or the London subway bombings of 2005. Switzerland, by the way, faced a bombing in 2011 -- though that was aimed at nuclear power companies.

If we're talking about planes, how about Lockerbie in 1998 (Pan Am Fligh 103)? Canada's faced that in 1984 with the Air India bombing. Air France 8969, hijacked in 1994 -- with the intention to blow up the plane over the Eifel Tower. The Euskadi Ta Askatasuna is held responsible for over 800 deaths in France and Spain -- including blowing up a building at a Madrid airport in 2006 which killed two.

Britain has certainly followed America's lead in curtailing civil liberties in favour of security. What's interesting is the timing of the reaction. The oddity is that Britain is indeed following, despite being subject to internal and external terrorist attacks on home soil long before 9/11.

The rest of Europe, however, has not demonstrated the same sort of reaction.

RE: correction
By Reclaimer77 on 7/10/12, Rating: 0
