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> it cannot (or doesn't want) to stop the traffic coming from outside its borders Openly turning that sophisticated intelligence apparatus against the citizenr

• loeg 6y ago
  Well, this is done in the open: https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/border-zone/ https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/border-zone/ .
• sudosysgen 6y ago
  The US already openly uses the entire surveillance apparatus legally anywhere within a few hundred miles of the border.
• vkou 6y ago
  Are you aware that there's a bit of an ongoing jackboots-gas-and-rubber-bullets crackdown happening across the United States against unarmed civilians? The government has no problem turning its tools against the citizenry - well, particular parts of the citizenry. These aren't hypothetical techie concerns about the NSA seeing your dick pics. This is actual police departments behaving like we live in a police state.
  • Reelin 6y ago
    Indeed. In context, something that would presumably continue indefinitely (border traffic and drug consumption) was being discussed. That would require permanent legislation and normalization of extensive government surveillance. In contrast, the current shenanigans are occurring within a declared state of emergency (pandemic) on top of which widespread protests over an unrelated topic broke out. Even then, what's happening appears to be status quo police brutality that's piecemeal. (As opposed to open, centrally coordinated mass surveillance of everyone's actions - both physical and digital - with the approval of the legislature).