Of Wires and Words

In the last few days there has been quite uproar over a recent news event in certain circles. It is difficult to find a story covering it on CNN, only days after the revelations were released. The story is Wikileaks and their release of more than 8,000 documents from their so-called Vault Seven, one of, if not the largest release of Classified Spy Programs in world history. The information is troubling, to say the least, suggesting that the CIA, and by extension, US Federal Government has the ability to hack smart phones, televisions, computers, and even vehicles. They even have the ability to access data before encryption is used.

This revelation, in addition to past releases by Edward Snowden and others, poses many questions that in all reality shake at the very core of Constitutional Rights. We know where the government stands in the question, FBI Director James Comey said, “There is no such thing as absolute privacy in America; there is no place outside of judicial reach.” In a further clarifying statement, “Even our communications with our spouses, with our clergy members, with our attorneys are not absolutely private in America.” He was speaking primarily about the court’s ability to compel testimony. This is an extremely disturbing conclusion, even without taking into account the leaks.

The question is, what precedents can we find in history relating to this new practice of near absolute surveillance. One could easily compare it to works of fiction, most notably 1984 by George Orwell, The Minority Report by Phillip K. Dick, or Brazil, film by Terry Gillam, but we can also examine mass surveillance in history.

Of Rings and Power

One ring to rule them all,

One ring to find them,

One ring to bring them all,

and in the darkness, bind them

Over the course of the 2016 election, and since, we've seen some of the most vitriolic language and actions in recent memory. Many claim that we've never been as divided as we are now. Simply observing the election and post election reactions, it is not difficult to understand why people make this claim. Why have our once United States become so hateful towards each other? Sometimes to find the answers it is prudent to move beyond history, into the realm of literature. 

The One Ring, the highest of the Rings of Power, from J.R.R. Tolkien's classic series, The Lord of the Rings, shows us just how dangerous power is. Power is like a drug. Once taken, once held, it engenders the desire for more. Sauron uses the One Ring to expand his control beyond the borders of Morder. Using the One Ring, he exudes power over the bearers of the other nineteen rings of power. His search for power and control entrenched the Middle Earth into a time of darkness and war. 

Of Democracy and Mobs

For the last 100 years the United States has promoted the ideals of this great form of government: Democracy. This word was most profoundly used during the Cold War, when establishing a clear difference between the Democracies of the West and the Communists of the East. The Democracies of the West, standing strong for capitalism, free-markets, and liberty, while the evil Communists stood for communalism, state-control, and tyranny. This was a severe turn from the Founder’s view of the form of government that is Democracy; different, even from the US Army Training Manual published in 1928, which describes Democracy as, “A government of the masses. Authority derived through mass meeting or any other form of "direct" expression. Results in mobocracy. Attitude toward property is communistic--negating property rights. Attitude toward law is that the will of the majority shall regulate, whether is be based upon deliberation or governed by passion, prejudice, and impulse, without restraint or regard to consequences. Results in [demagoguism], license, agitation, discontent, anarchy.”

There have been many different descriptions about the present Occupy Name-that-City protests occurring all across the United States. Similar to the Tea Party movement, one political party lauds the movement as a true grassroots expression of patriotism; the other derides the movement as “Astroturf,” a fraud. The source of the protests may or may not have been organic, however, there is no denying the growth of each is. The Occupy Movement and the Tea Party present an interesting dichotomy. Two movements, identifying largely similar issues of policy, namely, opposition to the Washington Bail-Outs of Large Banks and other businesses, government corruption, and a destructive lack of jobs. The solutions differ. The Tea Party promotes a return to limited government and an emphasis on Constitutional Principles. The Occupy Movement promotes increased governmental power and authority to regulate big business.

Of Rights

            On March 22, 2011, New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg spoke at a rally supporting government funding of Planned Parenthood. The debate over the funding is a side issue, which I will leave those focused on political commentary and debate, however, there was one statement that caught my attention and presents a great opportunity to look at the Constitution, the Founding of our Nation, and the source of our Rights. Senator Lautenberg was quoted:

The Republicans in Congress claim they’re concerned about the budget balance, but it’s a disguise! It’s not true! It’s a lie! That’s not what they want. They want — they want other people not to be able to have their own opinions. They don’t deserve the freedoms that are in the Constitution! But we’ll give it to them anyway.

            As we move forward in political debates, whether they be over funding of community service organizations, regulatory laws, or the Federal Budget, it is important that we pay attention, particularly to what our elected representatives are saying. Senator Lautenberg’s words present a troubling philosophical foundation. We have to ask the question: Who decides to give Republicans Constitutional Rights?

Of Tyrants and Unions

Over the last couple of weeks, since the stalemate in Wisconsin, many people, now including a US Senator have made the claim that the very first thing that tyrants, such as Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin, and Hosni Mubarak, is to disband the unions. Invoking National Socialism (Nazism), Soviet Socialism (Communism), and the Egyptian Dictatorship under Mubarak is an easy step to take, they make great talking points. One would hope that their invocation would beg the question of what happened?

In order to find the accuracy of these statements, on needs to examine the History of each separately. Tonight, I am going to focus on Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia. Both sides of the political spectrum desire to stamp their opposition to these two examples. It is the highest form of hyperbole and demeans the tragedy and suffering created by these two regimes. If we are going to move forward as a people, instead of using hyperbole we need to find a more level head in our arguments; and focus on the truth of history.

The Dangers of Food Prices

The World Bank has reported that food prices have reached dangerously high levels. They state that this could lead to political instability. The numbers are truly staggering; global Corn Futures have doubled in price since the summer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicted last week U.S. corn farmers will have just 675 million bushels of corn at the end of August, before next year's harvest begins. That sounds like a fairly large number, however, when calculated out, that results in an 18-day supply. These slim reserves, no matter the cause, leaves the world at risk with any event that could affect corn production.

The United States has yet to feel the crunch that many others across the globe have felt. We have a number of factors supporting our position, including the absorption of high prices by Food Distributors. The rest of the World is not so lucky. Between June and December, wheat prices climbed 54 percent in Kyrgyzstan, 45 percent in Bangladesh and 16 percent in Pakistan. These are nations who are already facing internal and external political pressures.

Of Revolutions

In 1848, demonstrations rose across Europe. These demonstrations grew to the point of pressuring rulers and ministers to flee their lands, toppling governments, and fostering opportunity for revolutionaries to arise. These revolutionaries across the ideological spectrum (Liberal, Socialist, and Nationalist), worked to bring their ideologies to reality. Of the major powers in Europe, it was only Great Britain and Russia who remained stable in the time of change. Great Britain, because previous revolts, such as the War of the Roses, had led to various reforms allowing some semblance of popular power. Russia on the other hand held tight to complete autocratic control stamping out all signs of dissent, for another seventy years.