Chicago, Houston Consider Cameras in Private Businesses, Homes

HumanEventsOnline.com ^ | Feb 28, 2006 | James Plummer

[Mears]

I remember when I read 1984 about 40 years ago I said to myself "This stuff will never happen. I was wrong.

[Tired of Taxes]

And yet look at the big stink they made over the NSA wiretap thing.

They're such hypocrites.

[MamaTexan]

The only way to beat them is to relax the rigorous belief in "Buddy, it's the LAW".

Several generations of Americans have been totally brainwashed as to the meaning of the *law* as it was intended by the Founders.

[metesky]

But I remain convinced that Americans are so reflexively superstitious about "The Rule Of Law" that they will go right off the end of the slippery slope and accept tyranny, so long as the tyranny is legally and correctly instituted, rather than develop an ethic of selective observance of the law, and intentional breaking of bad law.

Ah yes, that would explain the millions of pot smoking Americans,the failure of Prohibition, the traffic law scofflaws, the worn paths across public parks right next to the "Keep Off the Grass" signs, the billions of dollars owed the IRS, etc, etc.

Where ya from, bub? This country was built on disobeying "authority" and we're better off for it.

[metesky]

About 40% of colonials participated or were loyal to the Colonies. About 20% were Tories. The remaining 40% were fence sitters, waiting to see which way the wind blew.

[savedbygrace]

Hurtt invoked the name of Orwell's dictator in defending his radical proposition: "I know a lot of people are concerned about Big Brother, but my response to that is if you are not doing anything wrong, why should you worry about it?"

Wonder what his FR screen name is?

[Beagle8U]

"Given the choice, I'd go for a nice lakeside cottage on a few acres and a gravel road, at least 50 miles away from the nearest urban jungle!"

Everyone has that choice.

I would rather be rural and poor, than rich living in a sewer.

[LambSlave]

I can't recall where I read this, but it referred to the number of colonists acting against the British before the "national" military effort in 1775... many were outraged, but only a handful were involved e.g. the Sons of Liberty, Stamp Act protests, Boston Tea Party, etc. Of course, when it was clear that the Colonial government would unite and support the effort by organizing a government sanctioned Army there was more support... but as you point out still not a majority.

[Gabz]

The word hasn't been invented yet to describe the depth of loathing I have for these tyrants.

You and me both my friend, you and me both.

[Gabz]

I remember when I read 1984 about 40 years ago I said to myself "This stuff will never happen. I was wrong.

We all were. Orwell was just a bit off on the date.

[metesky]

Actually you're quite wrong about the 4% although you are correct that a minority agitated for a break from England as a solid majority at the time did not think of themselves as Americans, but rather saw themselves as British citizens and subjects. The original intent of the Colonials was to regain the rights of British citizens.

The real turning point were the French and Indian Wars (which was the first real World War) during which the Colonials saw just how badly the British used them, then demanded that they (the Colonists) pay for the war. The colonials were of the opinion that through their citizenship and payment of taxes and blood, they had payed for the war.

From The Treaty of Paris (1763) the revolution was a foregone conclusion, becoming only a matter of when.

[LambSlave]

Thanks for the clarification.

[DakotaRed]

Yes, voters are idiots. They let themselves become lulled into a false sense of security of letting government think for them. We see it all over in smoking bans, government mandated health insurance in business, minimum wage and now, security cameras where there is no need.

Socialism is alive and unfortunately, well, in the country.

[dljordan]

"Cheap,Democrat-knocking points. Draconian scheme that is the equal of anything in 1984, hatched by a democrat?"

The money came from a Republican administration. Homerland Insecurity loves this stuff.

[ozoneliar]

I remember when I read 1984 about 40 years ago I said to myself "This stuff will never happen. I was wrong.

Perhaps some are using 1984 as a manual.

[dcwusmc]

Maybe that's Roscoe (Mojave) or robertpaulsen....

[dcwusmc]

Right there with you, Gabz!!!

[I'm ALL Right!]

That's suspicious behavior.

[Gabz]

This stuff makes my head want to explode. But what is really heartbreaking are the numbers of supposed "conservatives" that see no problem with the idea of Big Brother/Nanny Government.....whether it is cameras, or seatbelt laws, or smoking bans, or food controls.

[Eastbound]

"If this goes through in the chicago or houston area I will move out of the country and not come back'

Please leave me your guns and stuff. We're gonna have a helluva war to fight here and will need all the powder we can get.