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So basically you advocate the libertarian POV and prefer anarchy to civilization?

I advocate the Constitutional view and take a dim view of any expansion of governmental power at the expense of liberty. Liberty, once lost, is difficult to reclaim without bloodshed.

As for preferring anarchy, do you think that's what we had before all these new 'security' measures? And we're no more secure against a determined enemy than we were before. Inept freaks with boxcutters might not make it now but we're far from secure.

You said: I advocate the Constitutional view and take a dim view of any expansion of governmental power at the expense of liberty. Liberty, once lost, is difficult to reclaim without bloodshed.
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I don't understand how liberty is being lost by the government obtaining telephone records that the phone companies have always kept. I don't see what provision of the Constitution this might implicate. We are still free to make any calls we like. The phone system has always kepts records of what number those calls were made to and from. I am especially dubious of any claim of "privacy" made by corporations, even so-called journalistic corporations.

I advocate the Constitutional view and take a dim view of any expansion of governmental power at the expense of liberty. Liberty, once lost, is difficult to reclaim without bloodshed.

Nothing wrong with that. However, our own Supreme Court has already ruled decades ago that these records are fair game and that the Constitution does not forbid our government, or civilians for that matter, from utilizing these records, not the content of the conversations mind you, in a law abiding manner.

Are you saying that you disagree with the USSC?

As for preferring anarchy, do you think that's what we had before all these new 'security' measures? And we're no more secure against a determined enemy than we were before. Inept freaks with boxcutters might not make it now but we're far from secure.

What I am saying is your steadfast refusal to allow our government the tools necessary to insure our safety will inevitably lead to the downfall of civilization and Anarchy, IMO.

If not for the "Gorelick Wall", we may have had a fair chance of stopping the 9/11 hijackers prior to the tragedy, IMO.

"I advocate the Constitutional view and take a dim view of any expansion of governmental power at the expense of liberty. Liberty, once lost, is difficult to reclaim without bloodshed."

And while I would generally agree with you, we've seen instances throughout our own history were liberties have been lost...and reclaimed. Whether we go back to Lincoln and the Civil War, the Sedition Act, FDR and internment or even J Edgar and his years, there are many instances were liberty was more threatened than it is today.

I have to laugh when I hear some people talking about how this administrations assault on civil liberties is the worst in our history. This is just nonsense when you consider what has been done during previous administrations...including the last one. Liberty, while most precious, means nothing without Life.