The government says they’re protecting your email privacy…but it could be exactly the opposite.
When I heard that Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Patrick Leahy had written a bill that would make a court-approved warrant mandatory to obtain and view private emails from any time frame, I was pleased. We definitely need to replace the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. That law was originally written in 1986, before electronic archiving and “cloud computing” even existed! That act gives police agencies the right to force an Internet company to hand over ANY emails they feel are relevant to a case, without a judge’s order.
But now I’m hearing from tech website CNet that Leahy has “tweaked” his bill, which would now allow more than 20 agencies – including the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Communications Commission – to access Americans’ emails, Google Doc files, Facebook wallposts and Twitter direct messages without a search warrant. The Judiciary Committee is saying those accusations are false. Who’s telling the truth here? Why can’t we get a straight answer about this?
Take a look at this article from Fox News, New Bill Would Oversee Government Access to Your Email. I think you’ll find it interesting…and perhaps a bit disturbing.
So, will this new bill tie the hands of government agencies that want to look at personal emails, or does it open the door wide for them? Apparently the matter is in discussion. But I think we can all agree that the issue is an important one. Government already has its eyes all over our personal lives. Do we really want our personal emails to be part of that whole mix?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this matter. Should government agencies have easy access to your personal emails if they feel those emails are relevant to a case? Or should they have to first go before a judge and prove their case before gaining that access? Please chime in with your opinions.
When I first heard about the FEMA camps my first thoughts were how did this happen when the House controls spending? The House is controlled by the Republicans. I support Bush, worked the elections but now as I see him I have to wonder if this god-awful mess of today was not started some time ago? When I see “SO” called conservatives playing golf and making trips with Bo on AF! with his wife associating Michelle I have to wonder! And with Bo raping America Bush is so quiet! And now I don’t see the conservatives (?), including Bush, questioning the government know when we crap and what we ate! Gross! Yeah but how gross is it to see our Congress, doing nothing the the good ole Washington two step! God Bless the Tea P:arty and Damn the traitors to an eternity in HELL! Hoo Yah!
I’m afraid the decision was made years ago and the citizens weren’t consulted. What they are doing in congress now is window dressing. The 1%ers are afraid of the 99%ers and “need” these spying tools to anticipate when they have pushed us over the edge. Their walled and gated communities need a little warning to man the guard towers. I used to believe the USA was the best and most democratic country on the planet. Not anymore. We are looking more and more like East Germany before the fall. Sorry for the rant but I have children and grandchildren who have to live in this fishbowl of my generation’s construction. I tell everyone who will listen to get involved but so many sheeple just don’t seem to care. Oligarchy and plutocracy are the order du jour now and the rich and powerful don’t want to give it back.
I purchased one of your life straws. You asked me to join your Patriot program and I would really love to but as I’m sure you hear all the time “I can afford it”. I have accumulated a lot of medical bills and my wife is no longer working. Sorry to let you down.
for those of you who don’t know already, they have a way to turn on your smart phone remotely and listen to everything going on in your house. if you pick it up and the battery is hot after you had it turned off, you were likely spied on. why do you think they want everyone to have a smart phone??????? there is a large communication built in Utah where the can tap into any form of communication you use. wire or wireless. they look and listen for key words.. we have no real privacy anymore. they can view you from satelites as well as photograph you even take your picture with clarity to read the license plate on your care. they are watching.
the answer to the question on the table regarding if “government should have access to private email, ‘just because’, is a RESOUNDING NO! short and sweet, this item is NOT up for discussion, bargain or barter. the numb-nut legislators who are even thinking about this have NO RIGHT, ethically, morally or most assuredly CONSTITUTIONAL right to do so. Nor do they apparently have the brains to view the real problems this nation and her people face and create MEANINGFUL legislation to deal with these problems; like, SERVE THE PEOPLE who elected you, DON’T make subversive attempts (or even open attempts) to SUBJUGATE US! WAKE UP!
The Federal Government has no right to our personal business. All these methods of “checking” on people is because a few liberals became frightened of the world they live in. So if they think they can find out about everyone’s activities, they can control them. Another action/reaction situation these liberals have chosen to push is removing guns from every American home. They think if there aren’t any guns around to hurt anyone, that crime will stop and peole won’t die…WRONG! These “Do-Gooders” forget that criminals WILL HAVE GUNS and that crime will continue on, but now Americans would have no form of protection from undesirables.
The liberals are dilusionary, dreaming of a “Perfect” World, which does not exist except in their own heads. Utopia isn’t real and human nature fluctuates from good to questionable to bad. To survive, you must be a realist!
All the “Big Brother Watching” is being orchestrated by those who are extremely scared of their own shadows – OR – by those in government that would benefit from all the personal information…aka BHO, Corporate America’s marketing, etc. Unless we stand up and face this enemy before it gets its claws into our lives, we will lose this battle. It’s going require action and finding a Congressman who isn’t afraid to create legislation for “The People”, to protect us and to put this out of control government back in its cage where it belongs.
THIS GOVERNMENT DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO DISSECT OUR PERSONAL INFORMATION, EMAILS, TEXTS, POSTS, BLOGS, ETC. They need to BACK OFF AND DESIST! That is NOT their job and if we have to, we will draft legislation prohibiting any government from collecting anything of a personal nature from any American.
Just because technology is out there to do this, doesn’t mean that the American people want it done. MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD, OVER AND OVER, AND OVER! Sign petitions online, send in Petitions via snail mail, CALL YOUR SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN…MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD — AND THE VOICES OF YOUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS. Believe me, there are a lot more Americans than there are Congressmen, Senators and a worthless president. Together, our voices are loud and inescapable!
I agree the government has their noses in everything we do. It would not surprise me if they put cameras in our homes. I pray that God will help us . before
Obama takes us to hell with him.
Privacy? What privacy? Big Brother is alive and well. The government, not just the IRS though they started it, knows everything you do. Everything you buy (on credit) and everywhere you go. They are watching and we let them begin. IF we can take back the Senate, and hold the House, maybe we can start rolling some of this back. Probably NOT while Obama is president though…the veto will come out big time!
we have no more freedom, or liberty. they can pass all the laws they want to protect our privacy. they still will snoop on us and read our emails. there doing now. OBAMA WILL NOT LEAVE THE PRESIDEANCY UNTIL HE HAS HIS ONE WORLD ORDER POLICE STATE.
Who do I talk to about a SOLAR SYSTEM for an entire residence?
LOOK IN THE YELLOW PAGES. OR DRIVE UP TO A HOUSE WITH SOLAR PANELS AND KNOCK ON THE DOOR AND ASK. .DON’T BE A MORON.
It reminded me of President Ronald Reagan said one time. “Government isn’t the solution to our problems, government is the problem. ”
Another good quote here is “evil will grow when good men do nothing”.
We, the people, seems to have been already removed from the constitution, based on the fact that more than 50% of the population was against Obamacare, yet it was made law. This law which Nancy Pelosey said “we have to pass this law before we know what is in it”. Based on that statement alone she should have been asked to resign her post. But good men did nothing. We don’t have a perfect system of government but before they started ignoring the base on which it rests (the constitution) it worked. Not always great but better than anything else around the global community. Now we have people who call themselves progressives. What that really means is liberal or socialist or Communist. Or course if they used those words to describe themselves, they wouldn’t get elected. They very much want a nanny state, where government tells you what to do and not do and where to go or not go, how to eat, think, well you get the point. As government grows the individual becomes smaller. And soon (usually too late) people realize that what the government deems most important is keeping the government sting and powerful and could really care less about any individual. I am sorry to report that this ship we are all on has been taken over and is sailing a course for troubled waters. These waters are so bad they could really sink this ship. And there will be very few search and rescue teams dispatched to help us. Oh the high ups will be rescued (you can bet on that) they will all be in the lifeboats. While the individual will be left to survive on their own. God help us all. But be not discouraged for we can hope for a change first in 2014 and then in 2016. To put people back incharge of this ship and try to get her turned away from the dangerous waters, or get us out of them should we pass the point. I believe in the power of God and I am not ashamed to say it. I also believe we as a nation have the ability to set our course back to better waters. I hope the words of those good men who will rise up to say something will not be drowned out by voices calling for our own dis
destruction.
People, wake up. Start asserting your “UNALIENABLE GOD GIVEN RIGHTS” and defend them, before you have none. Give that a thought. That didn’t take so long did it? He that dose not assert his rights, have none!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have you heard that the government of Spain has now passed a law whereas the governement now owns the sunshine that fall on your property and you cannot use that sunshine for your own solar energy production? it’s true! It will not be long before the major utility companies here in the USA will try to get our governement to do the same thing, i believe!
did you know that you only own 500 feet of air over your property? the governement owns the rest
Did you know that the NC now charges a tax for rain that falls on your property?
Get ready Patriots, soon we will have much more to be concerned with if we do not address these governement invasions of our …………….?
[email protected]
I totally agree with Mr. Fowler, our Government needs to realize that they work for us, not the other way round. Government officials think they can do what ever they like with no consequences. Take the Federal Reserve and the IRS for example, neither of these agencies where ever approved by the American people. neither of these agencies should exist and the people in charge of them should be in prison. Every US President since the establishment of the Federal Reserve should have had charges brought up against them for not doing something about it. What we need is a President with the balls to launch a massive investigation into the FED and it’s corrupt officials. Then stand up and let the american people know that we are no longer going to pay the FED interest on their money, in fact the FED will no longer be printing any money. We are going back to the gold standard that FDR (the most corrupt president of our time, except for maybe Obama) so foolishly did away with.
It is way past time for the government to remember we have a Constitution. The 4th Amendment is very clear, “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, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”
The Founding Fathers had no knowledge of emails or Internet but they wisely said “papers and effects”. This would cover computers as effects. Computers today are used as substitutes for paper – we refer to digital files as “paperless” files. Allowing any agency or branch of government unwarranted access to any digital information is in direct violation of the 4th Amendment because no probable cause supported by oath or affirmation with particular description of the place to be searched and things to be seized can be documented without a warrant. Any violation of the Constitution by those who have sworn to uphold the Constitution is an act of perjury that is punishable as a felony. This is true for every member of the Legislative, Judicial and Executive branches of American government. Passing these bills is perjury.
now, THIS is where the rubber meets the road. it is the absolute litmus test for the tom-foolery surrounding what the elected-by-the-people-so-called-learned “lawgivers/makers” are practicing.
The Government has been taking our rights away from us since the second world war. One at a time. Now it seem they are getting more greedy than ever and taking our right to privacy and to defend our selves. We need a complete turn over of our government, and a return to constitutional law.
Actually Danny the government has been taking our God given rights far longer than WW2 it actually started with Abraham Lincoln and no the war was NOT about freeing the slaves it was about taxs taxing one part of the nation to pay for railroads and “internal improvements” But the #1 reason for that war was to set up a central bank for the nation that our “government” could thereby plunder US the American People. Our government has been taking American’s rights away for the past 150 something years and they did an excellent job of hiding this from us this is why they want our guns and the reason they want complete and total control of the internet. It has been said that the South will rise up again, I beg to differ! and I’m from the South! The American People will wake up and when they see how they have been violated the “federal government and accomplice’s” will face the wrath of the American People.
Just FYI……….I was driving OTR, being part of Western Canadian Division of the company I was working for. I crossed the USA Canada border sometimes 5 times a week. During this time my email, facebook account, and other web activities were hacked. What really made me mad though, was my house was searched. It was a professional job. Nothing was stole, but it was obvious to me that everything was gone through. I live in a small Colorado town with 3 LEOs in the department, and a county with a conservative sheriff (ie. who by the way is one of sheriff’s participating in legal lawsuit against the recently passed Colorado gun control laws). So, who may I ask is the logical suspects????
It seems as though our government continues to take every opportunity afforded them and every crisis they are confronted with to attack our right to privacy. These attacks are not political party specific and leaves those expecting protection from their government confounded, confused and bewildered.
In things political, the involvement of the American citizen is crucial, but as long as they ignore that investment you can expect more of the same.
If our country has one weakness it is our collective inability to stand up for and fight for the ideals put forth in the Declaration of Independence and the preamble to the Constitution. While the Constitution can be changed or parts repealed It is there where our strength lies. They are inviolate
Absolutely, a court-approved warrant mandatory to obtain and view private emails. no compromise.
tanks to those that stood home. Next the KING is here.
silvio
We live in the best Nation in the World. We have a temporary dent in our Country, a dent we didn’t see coming. That is what the Government does, they distract use with some big event/disaster and while we are not looking or thinking about it they sneak in their plans right under our noses.
Sure I want to be in the USA and be protected, I would even get out and fight for our Country and I’m a 62 yr. old Mother of one son.
How do you fight this without disrupting our government? I believe that is what our enemies are waiting and watching for, a split between our Government and WE THE PEOPLE and that is when they will strike. It’s easy to say, “I don’t like this put a stop to it”. We are not privy to what the Government knows is out there about to strike us and if that means to give up something, I am more then happy to do it. I fell like I’m on the front lines backing my Government. I feel like a soldier of sorts.
This is a time of scary stuff happening and that dent will be replaced and then we can put in our requests. But this dent was more like an arrow through my heart.
As a lowley single, genuine careing love of this great county of the U.S.A and as one of the first generation of central Europe immagrents who held in their highest esteem to become naturalized U.S. citizens and who taught themselves and encouraged their children to speak English as their national laguage, I strongly oppose any erosion of our Constitutional rights as to our basic freedoms, (of speach–to bear arms–of Privacy, etc) that would weaken those pillars of strength as we move on into the new and advanced technology, phylisophical etc. with equal vigor to adjust to the changing needs of mankind with the proven elements of our current governence system.
The current Obama admistration by it’s numerous actions of lies, mistrust elite power manuverimg is increasingly on slippery slope downward of my faith in honest debate of where are and where we should be going. Fearless leaders motivated by committment to those values guideing decisions where so much of our Nation’s blood was shed to preserve the indegrity of our heritage whereby the majority of the PEOPLE follow the princple of “The minority must be heard, however the magority shall prevail” GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Must be evident, I have been losing some sleep over the current state of the Union.
The government protect your privacy? You must be joking. The health care bill allows them to access you bank account and more. Did someone forget Bill and HIllary’s data base? And that is just what got out. Are you kidding me?
There is almost zero chance that private emails are not being read all day long every day and that the agencies that are doing it are just being very careful about who knows about it. I would bet big money that the agency(ies) in charge of cyber crimes do it all the time. If not, what good are they?
Privacy on the internet is a joke. Here is what: If you want privacy, don’t use the internet.
Now do I think the government reads everything? No not possible. The volume of traffic makes that none feasible. Do I think they can read what ever they want on the sly if they want too? Yes.
I strongly object to any government agency examing my email under any circumstance. I do believe that electronic processing of information is now a must simply due to the speed that it completes the task. The draw back is that a $5000 computer has displaced several $2000/year
employees. .
Back to government over sight, In my situation I have a minimum of 4 issues that government issues are interfering with my freedom. The first; closing of roads on public lands, The BLM closed a road into a canyon in a deer huntinfg area, you either walk or ride a horse now. The same is true for another road leading into a small timbered area in what is now called Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, (formerly BLM ground).Second; is the Second Amendment, President Obahma said in a speech that gun owners should not be concerned about him on this
subject. That is not the case now. Third; is the government through the EPA is dictating what lsndowners can and cannot do on their privately owned property. Forth;,utilizing a government assistance program much private property is photographed on a routine basis and that information is made available to other agencies.
Let me be clear, I know there are benefits of all of these programs, but the ease and ability of altering or adding other uses without congressional approval is alarming so I do object to governmental involvement in email surveilance.
As a lowley single, genuine careing love of this great county of the U.S.A and as one of the first generation of central Europe immagrents who held in their highest esteem to become naturalized U.S. citizens and who taught themselves and encouraged their children to speak English as their national laguage, I strongly oppose any erosion of our Constitutional rights as to our basic freedoms, (of speach–to bear arms–of Privacy, etc) that would weaken those pillars of strength as we move on into the new and advanced technology, phylisophical etc. with equal vigor to adjust to the changing needs of mankind with the proven elements of our current governence system.
Why don’t the government just fix the roads and bridges…………………………
Should we TRUST the government to have integrity in their dealings? The IRS scandal is our answer that. The answer seems pretty clear to me.
If everyone would put in their emails exactly how they feel about this present government. They would be so flooded with emails telling them how we all feel, instead of trying to hide it. We know this government is corrupt from top to bottom. Why hide it? I really don’t feel the sheriffs of this country would help them or our troops that are being treated like crap. Maybe if more people would get off their butts and get out to vote, we could veto their evil crap.
The current regime wants to turn the USA into a third world country with no middle class and an elite structure that will allow for the take over by the select few that want to rule the world. Unless we stand now against this slow ride into tyranny we will be slaves of the nwo.
I do not trust the present government we now have in Washington. I do not want this government to read my e-mails.
It seems as though concerning America – the homegrown and the naturalized are the second class, as opposed to the ones that come here illegally and the individuals that hail from countries of hatred for America. In addition to the people that refuse to earn an honest living and for what ever reason “feel” that they are entitled. The government continues to invade the personal lives of the ones that are the backbone of the country. The citizens that do the right things by supporting themselves and their families, these are the citizens that are in the crosshairs and continue to be victimized by the government. The sad thing about these people is that they are culpable in the victimization. While not all them – a fair amount of them. They are the ones that identify as: *Low information voters * the ones that have no time to stand up and defend the rights * the ones that believe everything the media and politicians tell them (never to evaluate the content and form their own opinion) * the ones (to their own determent) that allow their prejudices trump all logic and reality. And on and on …. Wake the hell up America .. Say no to the warrantless invasion of privacy and all the other the anti-freedom tactics of the alleged servants of “We the People” and insure that you will always be able to get that Big Gulp – should you choose to.
Dear, Frank
When I received”Power 4 Patriots” that you mail to me. I am grateful to intend and plan to read carefully. I also extremely pleased with my friend Share. But her even see and said that just a Solar Panel Systems. I can’t say nothing it’s my mistake. But I believe there certainly have something. Because I know you’ll guide me and help me. I am very grateful, thank you so much!
In two years ago, my email account was recently hacked and they deleted my contacts and asked for money. Then several times. Another account password automatically to changed, even secret questionnaires are not the same that I put on, back up email is not mine, my website was also secretly used other name to reputation into. So I am unable to work. Everything has been tied up to now. I find a lot of professionals to help me. They have not found any obstacle. I don’t know why. When I fogus into work there has sonmething always block my way. I had buy a new computer even the same problem in from of me.I have to go to look for the reason and even study more knowledge by oneself. I am very adore of you. I appreciate you shared your valuable experience and your success in life with. As for me even if it is to create a little bit of success, I will be gratified. Thank you for your encouragement. I will. Because I do not lie, do not do the things I’m sorry conscience. I believe that after the direct attention of the government, A strong team with the government under the leadership of the other warlords wind. They know wisdom, vision, caring, and positive. Go forward hand in hand in order to the country’s prosperity. I am very agree about into Metaprograms. Those people who do the bad thing will be eliminated.
Thank you in advance for your help and concern in regards to my all matter. I have a blessed day to hearing from you again!