reply to post by invisiblemanda
Welcome to ATS
No... it really doesn't "Piss me off" when people as
"the question"
It is a great question! - First and foremost it requires a personal decision to embrace the Constitution and all that it stands for. For me, I have
chosen to speak out for Freedom and Liberty no matter the cost - it has to begin with the individual. When one says "What can I do?"... is it out of
complacency?....fear?....or a generalized lack of knowing a course of action?
Complacence - It will probably be difficult to help an individual to see or understand the importance of what is happening. They have pretty much
have either accepted and/or approve of what is going on. After all, "I'm not doing anything wrong"....but then again when every site they have ever
visited, every tweet and post, every phone call/text/picture they have made/sent is recorded and is known.
The data is stored for retrospective review. Meaning if they ever step out of line or get in trouble (or one of their friends) the data can be used to
create a profile of their life, affiliations, insights to their points of view and thoughts, ect...not to mention all those searches that they
probably would not even admit to their closest friends - I hope they would pause and think.
Fear - Again this is a personal decision to take a little risk. I do say little risk because it is not against the law to oppose policy or actions
taken by our government. It is not against the law to speak out for Freedom and Liberty. It is not against the law to have an opinion or belief. If I
am on a "list" it is because t**y are worried I may endorse the conditions below - I don't. If my name is on a list (probably a few) I hold that as
a badge of Patriotism and being a true American.
It
is against the law to plan, endorse, participate, or actively seek the overthrow (coup), dissolution, or "civil war" against our
government - These I do not endorse.
There are many on here who like to fear monger about lists, martial law, FEMA prison camps and round ups. While I do believe these thing are real and
possible, I do not believe they are going to sprung on us any time soon - if they ever are brought into play. In the event I am wrong, then I am
wrong. I will have have stood for my convictions as an American. The food may suck, the treatment may be harsh.....but I know I would be in good
company with like minded Americans.
It is interesting to note that those who becry, lament, and bemourn such possible scenarios, seem to have resigned themselves to those circumstances -
without even attempting to be proactive and prevent it from happening in the first place.
Course of action - There are many many things one can do. From changing their habits on-line (ie. OS/browser/search engine/cookies, ect.) to activism
in a group of their choice (local/regional/political/online) . A search on-line ( ixquick ) will reveal a number of ways one can either increase their
privacy and/or enable them to speak out against unconstitutional policies. Once the wheels start turning about what to do, it actually becomes easier
to figure out what to do next.
What it really comes down to is how serious is the individual, and the steps they are willing to take to stand true to their convictions as an
American and the extent they are willing to exercise their Right to Freedom.
(Note: Treading lightly so as to not be in violation of the TOS)