March 01, 2006
Wednesday PM

In the 1920's, J. Edgar Hoover, the head of F.B.I was the first to use wiretaps and bugs targeting bootleggers during prohibition. The U.S. Supreme Court said the wire taps and bugs were constitutional as long as agents didn't have to break into a building to plant the listening equipment.

Wiretapping was also used on Japan and German spies with any possible ties within the U.S. sometimes used on suspected communists living in America, used on persons suspected of subversive activities. Truman's attorney general expanded the policy to allow for bugging of domestic subversives as well.

Yes, eavesdropping has been around for decades, each decade it's been used for another purpose, today, wiretapping is used to protect America from terrorist attacks. So, why are some Americans so paranoid over this issue when it's been used mainly on terror suspects? Got something to hide? Doing something illegal?

Polls show that to some Americans, the so-called privacy is more important than safety. So, let's wait for that next terrorist attack on American soil and your family, friends and relatives are the next victims, you might have second thoughts about what's more important.

Virginia E. Atkinson
Metlakatla, AK - USA

About: Long time resident of Metlakatla.

 

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