tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217199.post113471603003667010..comments2024-03-24T11:30:08.199-07:00Comments on Can you believe?: All of meJohan Maurerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13771067774042071617noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217199.post-1135150545079551482005-12-20T23:35:00.000-08:002005-12-20T23:35:00.000-08:00For federal agents to attend a public event such a...For federal agents to attend a public event such as a meeting for worship or a public presentation does not upset me unless there's intimidation involved. (Even then, we can't say we weren't <A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015:18-25;&version=65;" REL="nofollow">warned</A>.)<BR/><BR/>The wiretapping of our telephones and e-mails without due process is another matter. When I call my friends and relatives overseas, I should not have to wonder whether my <EM>own</EM> country is spying on me. I can hear the cynic saying in the background, "Get used to it, buddy." No, I refuse to get used to it.<BR/><BR/>I'm sure there are people who ought to be wiretapped; that's why we have courts and warrants. This current U.S. administration, having played fast and loose with the truth and consequently with thousands of people's lives, having aligned itself with some of the most corrupt politicians in Congress, is in no position to thrust aside our civil protections with a plea of "trust us." We don't and shouldn't trust that crowd.<BR/><BR/>Dick Cheney justifies these smelly shortcuts by claiming that the vast majority of Americans would approve of them. (1) Where's the data? (2) Since when was the suspension of the Constitution made permissible upon the tides of popular opinion?<BR/><BR/>JohanJohan Maurerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13771067774042071617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217199.post-1134785859917269852005-12-16T18:17:00.000-08:002005-12-16T18:17:00.000-08:00Your story reminds me of my activities in the Amer...Your story reminds me of my activities in the American Citizens for Peace group in Costa Rica. We knew there was an informant somewhere in the group, given the high-level activity going on in Central America back then (the 1980s). <BR/><BR/>ACPCR began every meeting by welcoming everyone and the informant as well. The leader then explained to whoever the informant was why we were engaged in these activities and what we hoped to achieve. Then the meeting would begin.Nancy Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14260235828442346455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217199.post-1134765900340558122005-12-16T12:45:00.000-08:002005-12-16T12:45:00.000-08:00You say, "I don't think they have the right ..." a...You say, "I don't think they have the right ..." and that brings up a point I neglected to address. If those government agents break the law or practice any kind of intimidation in their monitoring of our worship and discipleship, I wouldn't hesitate to hold them accountable.<BR/><BR/>I just don't want us to fall into the trap of exaggerated outrage and self-righteous victimhood that ends up slapping those government representatives in the face and denying their humanity.<BR/><BR/>This reminds me of a story that took place years ago in another country with a more overtly authoritarian government. A Friends meeting in that country had an informant among its attenders. When an American visitor asked why the informant was treated so kindly, the answer was that he was so incompetent an informant that everyone was on to him--and furthermore, nobody wanted the government to realize that his cover was blown. Friends realized that if the government found that out, the current informant might be replaced by a more competent one.Johan Maurerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13771067774042071617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217199.post-1134764356935161372005-12-16T12:19:00.000-08:002005-12-16T12:19:00.000-08:00I have mixed feelings too. On the one hand, I feel...I have mixed feelings too. On the one hand, I feel like if we are honest in what we are doing, we have nothing to fear from spies. I don't think they have the right to spy on people (honest or not), but in our case, as religious communities, I think we shouldn't worry about it too much, aside from when people are planning civil disobedience/direct action.Zach Alexanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03081152597455627366noreply@blogger.com