Ethics for the Information Age--Chapter 5

This chapter was pretty lengthy and filled with legal history surrounding a citizen's rights to privacy. I found it interesting that the United States government always attempts to seize more surveillence authority during times of crisis. I understand that this is crucial to the goal of defeating whatever enemy, but historically, this has been abused. Governments can create a crisis situation for the sole purpose of garnering more authority over its citizens. I think many people are good natured and do not understand why the government would want to spy on them, but this chapter helped to re-inform me that the benefits of knowing far outweigh the deficits of not knowing.
After reading this chapter, I am more inclined to live "off the grid" (leaving no electronic footprints, paying in cash, not existing in any sort of database). Having all of one's crucial info linked to databases which can now be accessed without warrants means that the government now has the power to get rid of anyone they deem to be an "enemy combatant". Last December, President Bush signed an executive order into law which formed a tribunal. This tribunal is of his choosing. The purpose of this tribunal is to deem people "enemy combatants", thus making them subject to unwarranted searches and seizures under the new patriot act. What this means is that PRESIDENT BUSH CAN DO ANYTHING HE WANTS TO ANYBODY. He appoints the people who decide this. Once you are slapped with this label, they can do anything they want to you. You have no rights to a trial, no civil rights, and will be subject to torture, provided it is done in Cuba.
I understand the original purpose for the government needing these powers and authorities, but this sort of power was originally balanced between different bodies for a distinct reason; it is far too tempting for one person to not use these powers to corrupt ends.
This is how Rome switched from a republic to an Empire. In all the movies and books about revolutions, this is exactly how it starts. This is even how it happened in Star Wars. It is easy to spot when the story is condensed into 2 hours, but in real life we inch toward this daily, so many people do not seem to notice. But the fact remains, we are on our way to a society in which our rights to things like privacy are whittled away to nothing.