Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

Wire Taping Issue

How do you feel about the idea of the president having the authority to eavesdrop on domestic calls with suspected terrorists?

Does this violate our constitutional rights??

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

I am so tornon this topic. On one hand I do feel as though this violates my rights on the other hand...if this is going to help keep me alive then please, by all means...listen away!

However, I do feel that now that this is so commonly known that terrorists will now find alternate routes of communication and that the whole argument becomes moot.

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

It is illegal -- we have laws for everyone. Otherwise why not have a monarchy or dictatorship? There is no excuse for his conduct...if he thought it was so imperative to do this he should have gone through the proper channels, like any law-abiding citizen must.

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

ALL FOR IT

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

I'm on the fence about this...

I do want to feel safe and secure in my country. If you told me, my phone calls or what ever were being watched, I would be a little taken a back, but since I'm not doing anything wrong, I would get over it. I guess I see it like all the security at the airport. I know I'm not doing anything wrong, I have nothing to hide. Sure it's not the best feeling to have someone go through your bags full of underwear and whatever, but it's for security.

However, the things that do bother me are the powers that the government seems to be appointing itself it the name of security. They seem to use the security issue to do what ever they want as long as they label it properly. The biggest problem I have is how the government keeps trying to back peddle whenever they are caught. This is not being called a wire tapping issue, it's now a "Terrorist Monitoring Program"; call it waht you like, I feel it's still going agianst the constitution. Case in point the president's remarks in 2004:
"Now, by the way, any time you hear the United States government talking about wiretap, it requires -- a wiretap requires a court order. Nothing has changed, by the way. When we're talking about chasing down terrorists, we're talking about getting a court order before we do so."

I just hate all the lying and manipulation.

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

Posted by Redhead

ALL FOR IT

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

I am torn on the subject...but I think what bothers me most is that lately I feel the government is "BIG BROTHER" Watching our every move.

I thought we fought on the opposite side of the cold war...lately I feel like the government is attempting too control to many aspects of our everyday life and freedoms we assumed we had are being restricted...(or at least attempting to be)...but that is a whole other conversation.

Message edited 2/3/2006 9:33:17 AM.

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

My question with all the wire tapping without warrants, is that once the alleged terrorists are caught, they will be tried in US Courts. Isn't there any concern that a wire tap done without obtaining a warrant will be thrown out in court? Do they just figure that the average American is so afraid of terrorism that a jury would ignore due process?

I just don't buy the argument that getting a warrant would interfere with an investigation. I think this is a slippery slope and may lead to the erosion of the right to privacy for lots of people who aren't terrorists.

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

I worry about the precendent it sets. During times of war, civil liberties often go out the window, but that doesn't make it okay. The key to American freedom is our civil liberties and it's a slippery slope when you begin to erode the principles our country is based on.

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

i think if the gov't has some "valid" reason to think you may be involved in something.... go ahead. they are not just picking random people to go and tap calls on. there are too many people in this country to do that.

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

Message edited 2/3/2006 11:35:45 AM.

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

while you may call it "racial" profiling....they has been profiliing in this country for many years and many people get away with it all the time. should the gov't, if done probally, sure.

does your job just hire anybody? no they profile a liste of people based on there skills.

for people, they are checking background, affliations, etc... if you are conspireing to do something in the US that involves terrorism, then you ought to be caught. If you are not guility of any accuastions, the matter should and would be cleared quickly as you explain topics "X, Y and Z" to the gov't and you will be on your way.

heck, i am a victim of profiling just cause im black from a white cop in a white town cuase it appear i was up to somthing... needless to say, i wasn't and he went about his business.


Unfortunately, racial profiling does happen in this country. But the case is that the gov't is now taking certain matters like the right to privacy into their hands with the terms "this will make our country safer".

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

Re: Homeland Security & Wire Tapping(Debate Topic)

profileing is profileing...to be direct, "racial profiling" is using the race/ethinicty card.
in the work place, they want to ensure the all types of people are seen to considered for jobs.

do you think gov't is racial profiling people? and how would we know? they are pinpoint individuals that may have ties to terrorism...

is it right that there it a terrorism watchlist that people go though before you board an airplane
...that is a form of profileing



Very true. Who will they target????? Poeple of Middle Eastern backgrounds??? This gives leeway to so may other issues that we don't need.