For consideration; Privacy.
Jan. 30th, 2004 11:40 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ambitious_wenchWhy is privacy important?
It's not that privacy is important, but rather it's important that collected information isn't used inappropriately, and that all collected information is going to be used inappropriately eventually, in somebody's estimation.
For example, it's not illegal in Nevada to pay someone to have sex. But it is in every other state. It's also a moral issue, and people can be judgmental. If the government has the right to monitor your credit card use in order to watch for suspected terrorist activity, they will also see a charge for $XXX.XX amount at the Mustang Ranch in Reno. Do they have the right to know this information? I say no. Neither do they need to see the amount of a purchase at the "Flower Basket Florist" two days later in Hackensack, NJ, or the purchase at Godiva Chocolates on the same day and city.
It's far too easy for some bored stiff at the Homeland Security Office to start writing stories in their head about what just happened in that cardholder's life.
Believe me, as someone who had access to ATM card use information, it was COMMON practice. And yes, I'm guilty of it.
I try to take cash out of ATMs whenever possible to this day, just for that reason. Not that I have anything to hide, I just don't think some drone at the bank needs to make assumptions about my life.
But wait, it gets worse: The government now has the right to demand lists of who bought what books at bookstores, and at libraries, they have to reveal who checked out what books.
It's not that we have anything to hide, it's that it's not the government's business to know what I am reading. You see, hiding and privacy are two different things, not always connected.
"If you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't mind that the government is collecting information on you" is a false assumption.
We ALL have something to hide: Ourselves from the prying eyes of a government that changes radically from year to year with each election. As a lesbian, I'm a criminal by assumption--it's assumed that I have lesbian sex, a criminal offense in my state. Would a camera in my bedroom provide the evidence needed to put me in jail? No. I'd have my illegal sex elsewhere, and I would resent the presence of a camera in my bedroom as I undress.
"What about Security?"
None of the measures implemented since 9/11 would have stopped the suicide teams. Monitoring credit card use is ridiculous. Collecting a data base of all people who had hotel rooms in Las Vegas last December (yes, the entire month; hotel casinos were bullied into releasing records by Homeland Security.) Nor those who flew in and out of Las Vegas.
There was no proven threat to Las Vegas. Why did they collect that information? Especially since gambling is a highly charged issue, with moral implications; Yes, it's legal, but how do you feel about the government having a list of everyone who went to Las Vegas? I am deeply concerned about this, I really am.
It's not that privacy is important, but rather it's important that collected information isn't used inappropriately, and that all collected information is going to be used inappropriately eventually, in somebody's estimation.
For example, it's not illegal in Nevada to pay someone to have sex. But it is in every other state. It's also a moral issue, and people can be judgmental. If the government has the right to monitor your credit card use in order to watch for suspected terrorist activity, they will also see a charge for $XXX.XX amount at the Mustang Ranch in Reno. Do they have the right to know this information? I say no. Neither do they need to see the amount of a purchase at the "Flower Basket Florist" two days later in Hackensack, NJ, or the purchase at Godiva Chocolates on the same day and city.
It's far too easy for some bored stiff at the Homeland Security Office to start writing stories in their head about what just happened in that cardholder's life.
Believe me, as someone who had access to ATM card use information, it was COMMON practice. And yes, I'm guilty of it.
I try to take cash out of ATMs whenever possible to this day, just for that reason. Not that I have anything to hide, I just don't think some drone at the bank needs to make assumptions about my life.
But wait, it gets worse: The government now has the right to demand lists of who bought what books at bookstores, and at libraries, they have to reveal who checked out what books.
It's not that we have anything to hide, it's that it's not the government's business to know what I am reading. You see, hiding and privacy are two different things, not always connected.
"If you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't mind that the government is collecting information on you" is a false assumption.
We ALL have something to hide: Ourselves from the prying eyes of a government that changes radically from year to year with each election. As a lesbian, I'm a criminal by assumption--it's assumed that I have lesbian sex, a criminal offense in my state. Would a camera in my bedroom provide the evidence needed to put me in jail? No. I'd have my illegal sex elsewhere, and I would resent the presence of a camera in my bedroom as I undress.
"What about Security?"
None of the measures implemented since 9/11 would have stopped the suicide teams. Monitoring credit card use is ridiculous. Collecting a data base of all people who had hotel rooms in Las Vegas last December (yes, the entire month; hotel casinos were bullied into releasing records by Homeland Security.) Nor those who flew in and out of Las Vegas.
There was no proven threat to Las Vegas. Why did they collect that information? Especially since gambling is a highly charged issue, with moral implications; Yes, it's legal, but how do you feel about the government having a list of everyone who went to Las Vegas? I am deeply concerned about this, I really am.
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no subject
Date: 2004-01-30 12:54 pm (UTC)Re:
Date: 2004-01-30 12:59 pm (UTC)AW
You think I'm joking?
Re:
Date: 2004-01-30 01:01 pm (UTC)Re:
Date: 2004-01-30 01:22 pm (UTC)Er, no, you can't. And you're too young to spank the other way. At least by me.
"They're either too young or too old..."
They're either too young, or too old,
They're either too gray or too grassy green,
The pickings are poor and the crop is lean.
What's good is in the army,
What's left will never harm me.
They're either too old or too young,
So, darling, you'll never get stung.
Tomorrow I'll go hiking with that Eagle Scout unless,
I get a call from grandpa for a snappy game of chess.
I'll never, never fail ya,
While you are in Australia,
Or off among the Rooshians,
And flying over Egypt.
Your heart will never be gypped,
And when you get to India,
I'll still be what I've been to ya.
I've looked the field over
And lo and behold!
They're either too young or too old!
They're either too bald or too bold,
I'm down to the wheelchair and bassinet,
My heart just refuses to get upset.
I simply can't compel it to,
With no Marine to tell it to.
I'm either their first breath of spring,
Or else, I'm their last little fling.
I either get a fossil or an adolescent pup,
I either have to hold him off,
Or have to hold him up.
The battle is on, but the fortress will hold,
They're either too young or too old.
no subject
Date: 2004-01-31 06:03 am (UTC)Re:
Date: 2004-01-31 08:55 am (UTC)What did you do?
Edie
Re:
Date: 2004-01-31 01:53 pm (UTC)