C, many of my acquaintance's like to bring to my attention that there may be "people" watching me. There is such a stereotypical view of persons with guns, fireworks, and the like. I always tell them not to worry, I am in total compliance with the law...all of them. But even so, I do wonder sometimes, and being that this, good ole USA is a "free" country, one must wonder what that really means these days. Now that we have entered into the "post 9-11 era" with all it's changes to our laws, are we really free at all? We now live in a time when a dog can't even get away with it's daily wanderings without making the news. Called "Big Brother" it is more like Big Bully and to whom are they accountable? I have to wonder, is it like this in Canada too? Europe? Everywhere? While you ponder a response, let me offer up this old tune with a new twist....
When speaking of governmental authority/control, in a "free" and democratic society.....when is enough...enough? And how far is....too far?
As to your question about issues pertaing to this up here, I can only say that we deal with the same things, just on different levels. For example, I know that "freedom of speech" is a big issue within U.S. society/law, much as it is up here. However, the government here has taken the view that "free speech" does not equate to "hate speech" or anything said/shown that would incite deliberate hatred. Hate-laws on the books up here have clearly defined penalties for this kind of infraction. Also, in a weird twist of irony, if I chose to display a Confederate flag on a flagpole outside my house, I'll probably get a few quirked eyebrows at the very worst; if I did the same thing in the middle of Harlem or East L.A. ........then I'll probably get strung up for it (after I'm gutted).
I guess my point is that while there are quite a few similarities as far as how our respective governments operate, they also wildly differ on other issues as well. Prior to 1982, if the police arrested you up here, there were no "rights" they had to read to you; they just scooped you up, told you why you're being arrested and away you went. It was that easy. Nowadays, it's the whole you-have-the-right-to-remain-silent shpiel. This is one of the areas where some folks hereabouts would say we've become "Americanized" somewhat. However, to the best of my understanding, the police forces up here (particularly the RCMP, since they are our equivalent to your FBI) still have much broader powers when it comes to search-and-seizure, arrest, surveillance and undercover work.
Whereas your motto is "Truth, Justice and Liberty For All", ours is "Peace, Order and Good Government".
So, to sum it up as best as I can, it all boils down to what any given society will expect from its government. Up here, it's my perception that we don't really mind direct government involvement in matters, particularly when social issues are involved. As to how much is enough or how far is too far?
I you could leave, I wouldn't grieve. You're a pain in the ass, I won't let it pass. Begone, thou thorn in the side, For I dislike it, when here you abide.
Canuck1396 got married last week. The girl he snagged somehow was actually the sweet type, a real keeper. This week, however, she was having problems with the marriage, already. So it's a visit to the marriage counselor, just a few hours ago. She took 1396 with her, of course. Apparently, her problem wasn't the fact that 1396 is a wife beater, but that the sex sucks. So she's complaining to the counselor, and 1396 decides he's had enough: "Christ, it wasn't THAT bad! I gave her the BEST ten seconds of her LIFE!"
Hence the bad attitude. I feel for you man, I really am sorry for you...
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