[eshu]

Two points: As a newspaper reporter, I talk to hundreds of people every week and I have yet to come across anyone (either American or immigrant Muslim) who is aghast at having their rights invaded, either overtly or covertly (and I hear some doozies, believe me)

Good point - if freedom and privacy are not important to most citizens, then of course there will be no outcry when these are removed. Perhaps we will move more towards a European-socialist model of society in the fuiture anyway - that is what TV, public schools, etc., seem to be pushing. I certainly meet a lot of people too who really don't care about the 1st, 4th, 6th, etc., as long as they are safe.

[Eala]

Good point - if freedom and privacy are not important to most citizens, then of course there will be no outcry when these are removed.

But they're rarely if ever removed wholesale. Always a little bit at a time, and usually from someone else... and when it's your turn what's there to do but go along?

Take a gander at how another respected Western nationality went down this road all the while thinking they were free...

That water warm enough yet...?