In order to "save" the Internet, we must monitor it. All of it. So says Director of National Intelligence Michael McConnell:
In order for cyberspace to be policed, Internet activity will have to be closely monitored. Ed Giorgio, who is working with McConnell on the plan, said that would mean giving the government the authority to examine the content of any e-mail, file transfer, or Web search. "Google has records that could help in a cyber-investigation," he said. Giorgio warned me, "We have a saying in this business: 'Privacy and security are a zero-sum game.'"
The quote is almost right, but not quite. Here's my version:
"Liberty and security are almost always a zero-sum game."
The only way for the state to provide a perfect guarantee of security is for us to give up all of our individual liberty. With perfect control of everyone and everything, security will be assured. Life will be miserable, of course, but who cares?!? We'll be "safe." And that, apparently, is the only thing that matters to our fearless leaders.
This tradeoff is, of course, as old as our republic itself:
Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
I don't know about you, but I'm going to take Franklin over McConnell.
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