On Privacy Rights

Isn't it fascinating how a clever propagandist can spin almost any topic to their advantage? Isn't it amazing to watch so many people fall for the manipulation? Faced with the increasingly invasive / unconstitutional actions of our Federal government, the apologists for Soviet style "security" triumphantly ask: "If you haven't done anything wrong, why do you care?" With that question they're making a clear statement: "Only criminals desire (and benefit from) a right to privacy." However, as is often the case with propaganda, the exact opposite is true. History has demonstrated that only criminals seek (and benefit from) a right to violate the rights of others. In short, the correct question isn't: "If you haven't done anything wrong, why do you care?" Rather, it is: "If I haven't done anything wrong, what right do you have?" In asking our question, we too make a clear statement: "Your actions are a violation of the law (both natural and constitutional) and as a law abiding citizen I have a right (if not an obligation) to resist you." As Americans, we can scream until we're blue in the face that "we are a nation of laws" and as such "nobody is above the law" -but if we do not hold those who violate the law accountable; our words mean nothing, our laws mean nothing, our Constitution and Bill of Rights mean nothing. "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause . . . ." Let me be blunt: Anyone who seeks to violate our rights under the Constitution is both a criminal and an enemy of America. It makes no difference what label they wrap themselves in, what position they hold, or what justification they produce for their actions. If we're going to save this country from the greatest threat it has ever faced, we've first got to correctly identify what that threat is. Oddly enough, we can look to the wisdom of our founding fathers for a hint: "In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief with the chains of the Constitution-" If we have any illusions about "defending freedom" in the world, we ought to realize our most important work starts right here at home. As Americans, we'd be well served to bring our own criminals to justice before marching off in search of somebody else's. The world too would be a safer place. The ball is in our court.