THE NSA AND PRIVACY

THE NSA AND PRIVACY

 

A Cranky Old Man opinion for

Cranky Opinion Saturday

 

The following is the opinion of a Cranky Old Man.  Opposing opinions are welcome (wrong, but welcome) but please, no name calling…and that means you, you big stupid head!

 

“You have a right to be silent; anything you say can and will be used against you…”

Apparently the above is now true not just when you are arrested, but at all times!  The NSA (National Security Agency) sometimes known as No Such Agency is collecting information on just about everybody from phone calls and even emails. 

Should we be concerned?

If this information is being used randomly, just for the personal jollies of some idiot government spies, then yes, we should be worried.  

If this information is being used to target political organizations strictly to censure and or harass people with ideas counter to those currently in power, then yes we should be very worried.

If this information is simply stockpiled in a giant computer and used to find patterns of phone calls or comments which may indicate a terrorist plot, sabotage, or serious criminal activity, then go for it NSA.

You can bet that bad people are hacking our computers and scouring emails and phone data to hurt our country in any way that they can.  This activity cannot be monitored or stopped without the NSA doing some of the same surveillance.

What protection do we have against using this potential invasion of privacy to harass or embarrass ordinary US citizens?

First, no one including the NSA gives one rat’s behind about what 99.999% of our citizens are up to.  You are probably safe to continue to have affairs, cheat on your taxes, steal your neighbor’s newspaper and fail to clean up after your dog without the NSA slamming you in irons or telling your wife and neighbors.

If this information is incriminating and could be used against you in some possible crime or indiscression, it would probably not be immiscible in court.

If information was leaked to embarrass or discredit someone, the leaker would be subject to harsh penalties himself.

Look, there is a miniscule chance that this mass collection of information could be used to hurt you.  There is a humongous chance that this information if used correctly could stop another 9-11.  In this day and age of communications technology we cannot just stick our heads in the sand and assume that we have complete privacy from government data gathering.  We should assume the data will be used responsibly and if it is not then those responsible for misuse will be prosecuted.

If we do not allow some potential invasion of our privacy, if we do not use technology to help protect us, then we will suffer greater abuses from outside sources than our own government could possible inflict upon us.

If you are that worried about your privacy, then get the hell off Facebook, stop blogging, quit tweeting, treat your emails as if they were letters which could be found lying around by anyone, and don’t plan your next bank robbery over a cell phone.

If you have nothing to hide, relax and rest assured that if any agency begins to use this data in an unscrupulous manner they will be caught…our press is just as good at spying as anyone at the NSA.

The preceding has been the opinion of a Cranky Old Man, and not necessarily that of management…Mrs. Cranky.
 

 A rare Cranky apology

Last week’s opinion post was hurtful to some readers who are suffering from a weight problem (I need to drop 35 pounds myself).  This was not my intent; I was simply using satire to highlight the need to make some changes in our culture to reduce the plague of obesity.

I apologize to those whom I hurt by my comments; I have total empathy for the fact that many people are gravity challenged because of genetics and not sloth.      

IT’s DOABLE!

IT’s DOABLE!

 

Last week I was in North Carolina helping my daughter by watching the three NC Crankettes.  I had a good time reacquainting myself with these three.  We made pancakes in the morning, played games, watched “Sponge Bob Squarepants” (my personal favorite) and went to a local pool .

One bonus of any NC visit is I get to see my Editor/Sister-in-law, Judy.  This year the visit included my scientist genius nephew, Jimmy (yes, I still call him Jimmy) his scientist genius wife, Melissa, my PHD niece Alison, 35 first cousins-once-removed and a six month old Yellow Lab “Captain” named in honor of my Brother Jim.

Dinner was beer-can chicken skillfully grilled by my nephew.

The "Three Amigo's"

 

We had a great time, solved many of the world’s problems if only anyone would listen to us, and told some old stories.  I love old family stories, and I like to put them on paper, or the internet in hopes they will not be forgotten. 

My niece told this one as an example of youthful exuberance and ambition.  She relates it to her students from time to time when they think her expectations are too high.  I hope I do it justice:

 

My brother and his family were all skiers, especially when the kids were young.  They were all good skiers.  Good, not great.  My niece, Alison, recalls watching her two brothers, Jimmy and David, at the top of an extremely long steep hill.  The hill was not just steep but was covered with huge moguls (not rich old men, but severe bumps and dips in the hill.)  The hill was very icy which is typical when steep and bumps are involved as the good snow gets pushed off to the side leaving crusty packed icy snow.

Both boys eyed the slope with trepidation when Jimmy suddenly just pushed off and attempted the run.  Heading straight down the icy slope, Jimmy navigated about half of the bumps with skill and dexterity when he caught an edge, flipped to his side, fell and tumbled about 100 yards down the hill ass over teacup until he finally slid to a stop.  Jimmy did not move for what seemed like a minute, and then he slowly pulled himself up, dusted off the snow, and adjusted his hat.  Looking back up the hill, bruised but still intact, Jimmy cupped his hands and yelled to David,

“IT’s DOABLE!"

David, of course, followed!

For a touching story demonstrating "It's Doable," visit this link from Suldog:
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com/2013/06/sgt-damons-art.html  

FIREFLIES

FIREFLIES

 

A blog/Facebook friend recently commented that she just saw Fireflies for the first time in her life.  This friend has moved in the last few years from England, to California, and then to Arkansas. 

Fireflies are so common here in the Northeast; it was hard to imagine that anyone has never seen them.   Then I remembered the first time I saw “lightning bugs.”  I lived in Southern California from age 4 to 8.  When we moved back east my first firefly sighting was exciting. 

We captured them and put them in a jar with holes punched in the cap to create a living flashlight.  I think we later released them but I don’t remember…let’s just say that we did.  The sight of thousands of fireflies in the trees at night is a truly spectacular sight that we often take for granted.

 

How many other marvels of nature do we gloss over until someone points them out?  When I returned “back east” at eight years old, I also remember my first serious snow fall.  People often dread the snow.  I still am fascinated by it.  A good snow storm makes me feel young again.  I go right back to those days of listening to WOR and John Gambling, praying to hear that my school was closed for the day.  I love to look out at the street light at night during a big storm and watch the snow fall while I am safe and warm inside.  It is hard to imagine that some people have never experienced snow.

 

There is so much in life that I have not seen.  The Aurora Borealis, an eclipse of the Sun, elephants in the wild, a painted bunting, a Super Bowl Game from the fifty yard line, a wood duck, and lately my toes in the shower.  Sometimes we need to stop and enjoy the wonders we do get to experience every year that many people only dream about. 

Like a good snow fall in January.

Or

Fireflies in June.