How much of right to privacy will we surrender for security - and when?

[Silverhair]

I have no easy answer for this one. In the time of the writing of the constitution, the damage that one person, or a small group of person could do was small. The damage that could be done by excessive gov't intrusion into private matters was far greater, so the framers wisely chose the right of privacy. Although it is not specifically listed as a right, it is such an assumed right that the constitution makes little sense unless that right is understood.

Now, two centuries later, we are entering an era in which one person, alone, can do rather considerable damage. A sufficiently determined person, with the proper knowledge and finances can now do major damage. Thankfully, terrorists still seem to think in terms of theather, as opposed to military effectiveness.

In fact, a small group of about 20 people could bring this country to it's knees economically, and they would live through it to watch the show. (No, I am not going to say how.)

When people feel personally endangered, they will usually surrender much of their personal rights for safety.

How do we strike the new balance between the need for personal privacy and the new danger that one person now can represent?

I have no answers. I fear that in twenty years, privacy will be an antique, quaint concept.

By "we" I do not mean Duers, but American society at large.

[shraby]

1. I won't give an inch. What sense does it make

to monitor 250 million people in order to find 20 or fewer perps? Targeted monitoring to known miscreants is much more effective. The authorities knew some of the Al Queda had entered the U.S. before 9/11, but didn't they alert the F.B.I.? No. If they had, those few could have been tracked, photos put on t.v. and maybe, just maybe they could have been found before they did their horrendous deeds. Look at the alerts they had before 9/11 and never, never followed up on them. 98% of Americans are squeaky clean when it comes to terrorist activities. Why should the rest of us give up anything in the way of our freedoms and privacy?

edited because of my stupid fingers.

2. I don't understand the question you pose

Giving up our privacy for security? What exactly is privacy anyway personal, financial?

A small group of people will always be able to hide and do things in secret. There is no way you can monitor people's every move.

And deliquent governments seem far worse danger than individuals.