I read an article in the New York Times today saying that “Americans are willing to tolerate eavesdropping without warrants to fight terrorism, but are concerned that the aggressive antiterrorism programs championed by the Bush administration are encroaching on civil liberties.”

So here’s my take on it;  if they aren’t following the rules, and we don’t make them follow the rules, our civil liberties WILL become non-existent.

The administration keeps saying “trust us, we won’t misuse this…we just want to keep you safe.”  And maybe they believe that.  I don’t think they do.  Others disagree with me…but it doesn’t matter.  Ultimately, people will do what is best for themselves and their family and friends and social “kind”…and they will do it the easiest, cheapest, and most expedient way possible.

Most people, most of the time, will act in their own self-interest, and in the self-interest of their own small select group.

If spying on innocent Americans will accomplish that goal, then the Bush administration will do it.  Other administrations have cut corners and abused power whenever possible.  Not all of them have been Republican.  Corruption IS IN the nature of the beast.  Whoever gets power will be tempted and likely seduced into using that power for their own self interest.

Both Boromire and Frodo wanted to save the world…is all I’m saying.  Both of them were corrupted by the ring.  Frodo just managed to resist it longer than anyone else.

So, it’s our job, as citizens to pay attention, and when we give someone power, we need to make sure they follow the rules that are put in place to make sure they don’t abuse it.

Breaking those rules is a symptom of corruption, and when those symptoms show up, it is our job to take the power away from them, for the good of everyone.  It think we’ve seen enough, don’t you?