Milllions of Phone Numbers

I have spent the week reading and listening to arguments in favor of and opposed to the USAToday revelation on the sharing of telephone records with the US government by Verizon, BellSouth and AT&T. I have also spent time thinking about what I think about this revelation. My initial reaction was rage--real unmasked rage. My heart rate and pulse both accelerated, and the saliva was pouring into my mouth (a sure sign that I am on the verge of losing control!).

Those initial reactions notwithstanding, I allowed myself the time to sit back and think. Knowing that I am predisposed to being anti-government-power, I simmered down and started to relax. Then I did my reading and listening. I have discovered that I think a few things.

First is my personal opinion and feeling regarding the government's acquisition of my phone records. The fact is, I simply could not care less. I am an astonishingly law-abiding citizen (I've actually NEVER cheated on my taxes) despite the fact that I disagree with much of what the government does and the power that it has. I decided a long time ago that my responsibility as a member of any particular group obligated me to conform to the rules and regulations of that group, or to make the conscious decision to remove myself from that group. Hence, I'm here in the US and I obey its laws.

Back to the records. I just do not care if the government knows who I call. I am trying to care, and I cannot seem to make myself care. Interestingly, I have asked many people if they care. They don't either. And in listening and reading, I've discovered that when people are asked if they care, for the most part, the answers are once again No.

But, but, but, that is just the records of calls to and from my phone. What if we discovered that the conversations themselves were monitored? That is a more difficult question. Again, for me, I feel the same apathy. But, when I ask others that question, a significantly higher number of people oppose such action. Fair enough. I think that the action would certainly be unconstitutional, despite my personal indifference.

I think that being well-versed in the Constitution is a responsibility that all citizens have, and we should carefully consider that document when we form our opinions. I wish that we now had the benefit of the genius and wisdom of both James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, and that understanding them would enable us to better articulate intelligent arguments. Alas, they are long gone, but I believe that they believed in an informed and educated population who would have the knowledge and wisdom to solve difficult problems using this wonderful document in the manner in which they intended.

Now on to the government itself. I believe staunchly in very, very, VERY limited government power. I believe that the government's primary, and ALMOST only, function, is the protection of its citizens. Insert this data gathering action, considering the potential threat to the United States, and I can understand the government's need to amass a database of information that could ultimately lead to the incarceration of subversive and dangerous elements within our borders.

I love technology, and I recognize that technology has expanded individual, corporate, and government powers to extents never foreseen by our Founding Fathers. I also know that since I received my social security number, my real and true privacy was, if not fictitious, at least, clouded.

So far, I understand, if not applaud, the government's actions in this regard.

Now to the other consideration. I have heard and read much less about this than I have about the horrors committed by our government. And that is the culpability of AT&T, BellSouth, and Verizon. As I think of these three companies, my initial rage returns and the saliva begins to pour back into my mouth. The first thing that comes to my mind is, "How dare they?" If I were predisposed to obscenities, this would be the perfect place to insert them. But I will stick to my question and complaint.

My expectations as a customer are vastly different from those as a citizen. The notion that this information is being turned over to the government without, at the very least, notifying me, is outrageous. I also find is very noteworthy that Qwest Communications, the smallest of the three, seemed completely capable of refusing the government's request. How is that possible? At first glance, it appears as though there was no government force in the acquisition of this information. Why did AT&T, BellSouth, and Verizon surrender that information? Were they paid for it? Were they ordered to turn it over?

This is where the power of Capitalism can truly become known. We The People have power as consumers that far exceeds (sadly) our powers as citizens. On that principle, I will end my relationship with my providers, and find others that stand stronger in their sense of obligations to their customers. I hope that others do the same.

And now the last point. Would this have ever been necessary if profiling were implemented? Do we not have a fair idea of the types of telephone conversations that are deemed suspicious in some way? Why are American citizens, as an entire group, being targeted, at great expense, great upheaval, and great discontent with the government?