This gives me pause. . . as I have been pondering this problem lately. The grand experiment which is the United States was built on personal rights for all written in the Bill of Rights of the Constitution. . . . . freedom of religion, speech, press, to assemble and to have personal privacy.
After 9/11 , the country was united in the desire of “Never Again” and there was not much questioning as to how that security was accomplished. But as the years have past and news and experiences of NSA spying on the nation and the world, control of the internet, airport searches and indignities at the airports, and prisoner enhanced interrogation; Americans, including me, are questioning our freedoms, security and the methods used to establish both.
This week in the world’s largest democracy where there is understandably obsessed with security has further fueled my thoughts. Information was circulated of a credible terrorist activity in India. Access to certain sites on the internet was stopped or limited to all of India. I had trouble accessing Facebook, in the morning, evening, and at night. Hmm, all times when people were home using the internet. I have experienced in the US having some news and YouTube videos not available as they are in the rest of the world. I have learned that from other bloggers. Here in India, we have been working for days to get just the proper documentation for the students. . . photos. . . on different paper for different applications. . phone, school, immigration. They need copies of their passports, visas, stamped pages of their passports, forms to be filled , a letter from the hostel and the University. . . all this to study here for 4 months. And all this to try to insure safety.
Some of you might ask, “Why not just ignore it all?” Well, one group a few years ago did just that due to ignorance of the policy. When they got ready to leave, 7 students were allowed to leave even though they didn’t have the proper exit stamp. Two students were detained. They were Americans of various heritages. Many people and countries find it hard to understand that American is a “salad mixture” of people from all nationalities. These detained students had to stay in a hotel for a week while their departure was discussed by many calls between India and the US! Finally, this happened and all other groups from Rensselaer have meticulously completed the process. This time the forms seem even more complicated than in 2013. Could it be bureaucrats justifying their paycheck?
I want to be safe, unquestionably, but at the price of our freedoms? Fascist countries take these same actions and I don’t want to live in like that. I am concerned, too, as to whom is making these decisions. In my lifetime, I have observed with taxes and government involvement, that once instigated or eliminated it is seemingly impossible to regain freedoms once they are gone.
Security or Freedom?
What say you?
TalesAlongTheWay 
Just had to post this really good write up Anne. It says everything in a few words that people are asking daily. I left a comment on Facebook. But just want to add a little more:
We are as people, all children of God – whether we believe that or not. As a man and a true follower of my father’s teachings, l see only good can come out of this situation, but as children we need to be taught and learn.
We may as children guard our freedom as we guard our freedom of speech and the right to be heard, but as with any crowd above all the clamour so often we strain to be heard, but l say this when everyone stops speaking then and only then will be the time for God to speak and be heard.
So it is with Freedom and or Security we can have both providing we have want of neither and only need of both. They are as the ocean of life – ebbing and flowing across the great divide of our lives, we can only know the oceans tides by practise and freedom and security are one and the same.
God Bless Anne. Ian
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Ian, you have given such deep thought to everything and I really appreciate you sharing those thoughts. I do believe we are created in the image of God and I do believe that we are provided with our needs and not always our wants if they are not needed. Your poetic language sometimes escapes me . . . . . Not sure how freedom and security are one and the same. . . Maybe that to have one you also need the other? . . . . . .
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Freedom and Security work as one in the same as Freedom of thought and expression sometimes as in Charley Hebdo, need Security of thought and in so much as what we say as writers of the news, needs caution. The world today, has and is changing and we daily create security problems and in so much as our Freedom is at risk.
We the news providers need to be circumspect in what we say and how we say it, Freedom of Speech needs caution before we publish it.
Ian
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I have said all I need to say on the USA…
Time y’all listened to your history!
This man here was right, they killed him for it..(we know this now)
He was right America
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His words were full of wisdom, Shaun, for sure. Though he is gone, we can listen to his wise words. . . if only we would.
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“If only the USA would” I agree 😦
Sadly you all won’t…
I do try and ask “Why” this is..
Fear? Brainwashed? Ignorance? Religion? But I know hundreds of people like me who tell the truth, alternative news people, all Americans not scared of the N$@…
This image here…I have shown 100 times..
Not 1 American has an answer 😀
I mean from my Blog…In other places Americans have said what they think..My Audience has changed on AceNews somewhat…
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Just to add Anne, the USA is a Fascist Police State. To understand what that means we first must define “Fascism” and “Police State” America is both. The police run and order the people, we have seen this lately. Democracy is just a word in the USA. Here in the UK our Media are exposing (Possible) sexual abuse by member(s) of the British Royal Family.
This WILL explode: Operation Yewtree
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Yewtree
Many of the names above are famous TV people from the 1980’s in the UK. Bill Cosby in the USA has been challenged also. Two more Woman came forward: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/06/two-more-women-join-bill-cosby-defamation-lawsuit
This is the tip of the iceberg, I would say now ‘Expect more in the USA’
Freedom of press, fairness of press is not 100% here in the UK but in the USA it is state run there is no debate in my mind. The most watched, Fox News is a VERY dangerous tool for propaganda, the people who watch it, believe it will pay extra tax to ‘Feel Free’ not understanding the Constitution of the US is being re-written.
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=Constitution+of+the+US+is+being+re-written&spell=1
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Two Video’s I would encourage you to watch if and when you can Anne, and anyone else in the USA!
1. Does Fox News Want Us To Be Racist?
2.Is Fox News More Dangerous Than Isis?
Anne, watch both and apply Logic and critical thinking if you can see the truth through the lies. In both Videos I truly worry the 10’s of Millions of the US Populous is being brain washed by Fox News. Many have done items/articles/video’s on Fox news..Me included!
https://acenewsdesk.wordpress.com/?s=Fox+News
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1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism
Fascism (/fæʃɪzəm/) is a form of radical authoritarian nationalism that came to prominence in early 20th-century Europe. Influenced by national syndicalism, fascism originated in Italy duringWorld War I, combining more typically right-wing positions with elements of left-wing politics, in opposition to liberalism, Marxism, and traditional conservatism. Although fascism is often placed on the far-right within the traditional left–right spectrum, several academics have said that the description is inadequate.
Fascists sought to unify their nation through an authoritarian state that promoted the mass mobilization of the national community and were characterized by having leadership that initiated a revolutionary political movement aiming to reorganize the nation along principles according to fascist ideology. Fascist movements shared certain common features, including the veneration of the state, a devotion to a strong leader, and an emphasis on ultranationalism and militarism. Fascism views political violence, war, and imperialism as a means to achieve national rejuvenation, and it asserts that stronger nations have the right, and indeed an imperative, to expand their territory by displacing weaker nations.
Fascist ideology consistently invokes the primacy of the state. Leaders such as Benito Mussolini in Fascist Italy and Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany embodied the state and claimed immense power. Fascism borrowed theories and terminology from socialism but replaced socialism’s focus on class conflict with a focus on conflict between nations and races Fascists advocate a mixed economy, with the principal goal of achieving autarky to secure national self-sufficiency and independence through protectionist and interventionist economic policies. Following World War II, few parties have openly described themselves as fascist, and the term is usually used pejoratively by political opponents. The terms neo-fascist or post-fascist are sometimes applied more formally to describe parties of the far right with ideological similarities to, or roots in, 20th century fascist movements.
~~
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_state
Police state is a term that originally designated a state regulated by a civil administration, but since the middle of the 20th Century, the term has “taken on the emotional and derogatory meaning of a government that exercises power arbitrarily through the police.”
The inhabitants of a police state experience restrictions on their mobility, and on their freedom to express or communicate political or other views, which are subject to police monitoring or enforcement. Political control may be exerted by means of a secret police force which operates outside the boundaries normally imposed by a constitutional state. Robert von Mohl, who first introduced the rule of law to German jurisprudence, contrasted the Rechtsstaat (“legal” or “constitutional” state) with the aristocratic Polizeistaat (“police state”).
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Police State USA:
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=police+state+USA
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Fascist USA
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=Fascist+USA
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Shaun, thank you for your reply. We have talked about this times before and I do remember that. What I would like to say is to encourage you to do some research on some reporters who report the news on Fox News. The personalities that you and Russell Brand quote are commentators who give their opinion on the nightly shows. There are some first rate reporters who report both sides of the news that you may not have seen. Bret Baier, Ed. Henry and James Rosen . They are bright, fair, educated newsmen that I trust them to know more about the news than a comedian , proclaimed social critic. Just my opinion. .
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Yeah, I respect opinions, always…
Sometimes the opinions are, how I say? Blind?
There is a saying in the USA…
“To be Ignorant of what is happening in the USA is bad…To Deny this ignorance is another, it’s worse”
Just the opinion of most Americans I speak to.. x
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I know this Anne, sadly these 2 and Sean Hannity spout propaganda and a quick bit of research tells me 72% of viewers tune in JUST for them 3 (And one more, he is an idiot also). So be it 1 reporter or 20 reporters telling propaganda it is still dangerous Anne..I don’t think you watched both these video’s to see my point because your answer suggests you never..and if you think Russell and I are the only two to believe the 3 Amigo’s are dangerous and spout USA Propaganda for the Police state… Well you are in for a shock, your own Country hate Fox News more than Russell or I… Millions hate Fox News for the lies and propaganda…
I know you can’t watch all I send but I am showing you the UTTER HATRED of Fox News for confusing, scaring, lying to and belittling the intelligence of the American people…If possible x
I can only send you this. URL’s from Google
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=sean+hannity+bill+o%27reilly+and+judge+jeanine+are+dangerous+propaganda
Well over 1,000 articles on Sean, Bill and Jeanine saying the same things as Russell and I..I don’t expect you to watch them all but do know the populous to know and understand the dangers of Fox News is actually from within the USA!!
You will see a few Russell Brand links here:
And hundreds and hundreds, thousands maybe, video’s RE: Fox News: ALL BY AMERICAN PEOPLE!! America Anne, is the place where Fox News is hated most…
Not by me in Scotland….I just share what American people share…
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Fox+News+sean+hannity+bill+o%27reilly+and+judge+jeanine+are+dangerous+propaganda
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***By Americans, for American’s, Against Fox News – I could post THOUSANDS!!
PLEASE WATCH THIS ONE!!! BY AMERICANS!!! Racist and dangerous!!
Fox News also did the Obama/Muslim/Islam connection 😀
&
Anne, it is AMERICAN PEOPLE who hate Fox News…Where do you think I get my news from?
These two video’s are very revealing. If after watching these 2 video’s you still believe Fox News is a good/fair/democratic/real news source…..I don’t know what I can say to you***… x
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Fox News, The Biggest Propaganda Machine On The Planet
Fox News Bias Exposed By Leaked Memos
Obama torn to shreds on Fox News over Syria
Fox News Plan Exposed By Document
Mainstream Media News Exposed as Controlled TV Brainwashing Propaganda
Fox News “LIES” about Pakistan exposed by Malaysian Prime minister
Fox Host Laughs At NASA Science
~~~~~
EVERY VIDEO is by American people.. The links to Google and You Tube are ALL American people.
x
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Sigh Shaun, I honestly wish I hadn’t sent you my post and then you wouldn’t have seen it. I thought you would be interested in how far I have come in my thinking to have written that post, but instead all this anti-Fox propaganda.
Listen before Fox started there was nothing availble to counteract the left wing news , commentary and shows on TV. Even today with shows like WEST Wing and other shows it is all bashing the conservative traditional values. There may be many people who hate it as you have stated but it was the silent majority and more traditional voters who have voted in the opposition party Congress that may be able to stop some of Obama’s deconstruction of the country I love. There is still freedom of the press and there are millions of people who love Fox both for news that is unbiased but fair and the commentary shows. They finally have a voice. This is going to have to be a wash because I am firmly in favor of having an opposition station.
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Reblogged this on Ace News Desk and commented:
A blog, a good blog for debate…If ANY Americans feel like debating Fox News and of course the blog it’self by my good friend Anne…Freedom and security issues (check the JFK Video for some logic) Please feel free. I won’t hold my breath…I told an American person last night it was 20:30 and they had no idea what I was meaning…Of course it is the time…PC’s/Laptops/Tablets/Smart Phones/Any Cell/Mobile Phone uses the 24 hour clock. This isn’t just Military time. All the electronic clocks in my life use 24 hour time…AND THIS PERSON IS A TEACHER…Nice lad…But a teacher…Come on America, prove you are better than this! Please? Pretty please?
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We lost our right to freedom right after 9/11 when the Patriot Bill was passed, despite the fact it was passed in such haste that almost everyone who voted for the bill confessed they, or their advisers, never read it. Then we sent troops into two countries without any valid reason. First time in our history that we did a First Strike. The terrorists that carried out 9/11 were Saudis and Egyptian, not Iraqi or Afghans. Our friends!!!!
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Don, thank you for your thoughtful reply. I fear you are correct. It is just a terrible mess and became so years ago when many of us weren’t looking!
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Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Good question: security or freedom?
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