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> I didn't file a complaint. I took it. I have a comfortable > life and it didn't seem worthwhile to make a complaint that > goes nowhere. My question: Isn'

by Xurinos 16y ago

> I didn't file a complaint. I took it. I have a comfortable > life and it didn't seem worthwhile to make a complaint that > goes nowhere. My question: Isn't this part of the problem? "Now, we must all fear evil men. But there is another kind of evil which we must fear most, and that is the indifference of good men." (Boondock Saints -- yeah, not a super source for learning good ethics, but I agree with the sentiment) I think the indifference comes from the inconvenience; you said, "I have a comfortable life and it didn't seem worthwhile," but I have heard the same from other peers. We have to be inconvenienced, to suffer, in order to reject the system. "Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it." (Thomas Paine) As you said, "A society is only as strong and vibrant as it's citizens." What would build courage in the hearts of our citizens such that they would feel comfortable enough to act? Success stories? Seeing the person in front of you buck the system? I am reminded of the recent HN article of the guy who merely handed out a flyer about the potential and untested dangers of the backscanners, which was just enough to encourage the group behind him to take a stand. Once the problem was made personal and there was obvious and present group support, others joined. You knew when you wrote this that someone would take the bait. :)

yequalsx 16y ago
Governments have gotten wise. They push the boundary slightly. A thousand little inconveniences kind of keeps up on the populace. It's the frog in the pot of water that slowly comes to a boil. I have become part of the problem. I have to balance things and see if action on my part is warranted. Right now, I've decided it isn't. The U.S. has the highest percentage of it's population in prison (bar North Korea). Prison sentences are harsh in the U.S. There's a lack of sobriety when it comes to crime and punishment. I've decided it's not worthwhile to me to risk getting on the terrorist watch list or being harassed and provoked. I know the water is slowly boiling, I know what is coming but I'm too comfortable to be willing to risk what I have. The most I do is to implore people not to visit the U.S. Don't come here for vacation. Also, I'm trying to leave the country. I want out. As to what it will take to act....I don't know. The government does a great job now of preemptively arresting protest organizers and charging them with terrorism. After some months they always drop the charges. The police state is here, in my opinion. But the average person doesn't sense this. Too few people see it. It's not a great answer but it is the truth, I don't know what it would take for me to act.

by Xurinos 16y ago

yequalsx 16y ago

Governments have gotten wise. They push the boundary slightly. A thousand little inconveniences kind of keeps up on the populace. It's the frog in the pot of water that slowly comes to a boil. I have become part of the problem. I have to balance things and see if action on my part is warranted. Right now, I've decided it isn't. The U.S. has the highest percentage of it's population in prison (bar North Korea). Prison sentences are harsh in the U.S. There's a lack of sobriety when it comes to crime and punishment. I've decided it's not worthwhile to me to risk getting on the terrorist watch list or being harassed and provoked. I know the water is slowly boiling, I know what is coming but I'm too comfortable to be willing to risk what I have. The most I do is to implore people not to visit the U.S. Don't come here for vacation. Also, I'm trying to leave the country. I want out. As to what it will take to act....I don't know. The government does a great job now of preemptively arresting protest organizers and charging them with terrorism. After some months they always drop the charges. The police state is here, in my opinion. But the average person doesn't sense this. Too few people see it. It's not a great answer but it is the truth, I don't know what it would take for me to act.