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in my opinion, abuses or alleged abuses in the past of the FBI, CIA, J Edgar Hoover or anyone else also has to be looked at in its proper perspective... that being that when those policies and laws became unpopular with the majority of people, they were changed as well.
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Agreed - when those policies, laws, and illegal practices became unpopular (or became known), they were changed or abolished. Today, however, some of those changes are being undone; some would change/undo more. As someone concerned with privacy rights, with abuse of govermental authority, and with the politicization of law enforcement/national security issues, that alarms me.
It seems to me that, as a citizen, I have an
obligation to make my voice heard if I believe that my government is taking the wrong course. It took people like me aggitating back in the 70s to bring the abuses to the light of day. That sort of activity is part and parcel of the system we live under, and every bit as vital as the Congress, the courts and the executive. I have as much faith in the American system of governemt as you do - perhaps I view how to express that faith and fulfill the obligation I have to it somewhat differently than you.
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Government is one of our greatest necessary evils.
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Agreed. Government is a 900-pound gorilla sitting in the corner. I for one intend to keep my eye on it.