@klumper - 9/11 did a number on the psyche of the American people that will take decades to recover from, if ever. The authoritarians were quick to take advantage, and somehow implant the ideas that safety is more important than anything (even slavery), and that the authorities are both benevolent and infallible. Today's citizens watch daily news items about abuses of power, malfeasance and coverups without blinking an eye. Millions of hours of cop shows on TV have somehow convinced the public that "the law" has our best interests at heart, and we should be thankful that they are all honest, brave, hardworking, wise, open-minded, and quick to acknowledge when they make mistakes. Did I forget good-looking, well-mannered, and kind to pets?
The reality is a lot different. Even when intentions are good, the system is still full of sloppy work, indifference, incompetence and politics. Attempts to cast a little light on the process gets reactions that vary from a gentle pat on the head and vague reassurances, to outright hostility and retaliation. When common citizens get caught in the gears, the machine is imponderable and often unstoppable, so the poor souls have little hope for true justice.
It's a standard saying, but the best way to stay out of trouble is to never put anything on the web in *any* form that you wouldn't want published in the paper, laid on your boss' desk, or now, put in a police report. Facebook in particular offers another pitfall: friends. The Patriot Act has resurrected the crime of "guilt by association", so who you are friends with is a lot more significant than it used to be. When that cute Iranian college student you met in Paris and added to your Facebook list turns out to be a Revolutionary Guard officer in a couple of years, your name will get added to lists you really don't want to be on ...
