Are they really out to get us?

There was an article recently regarding one of the Boston Bombers, Tamerlan Tsarnaev who was killed in a shootout with the police. The FBI were investigating whether his widow was involved, and they stated that they were able to retroactively access telephone conversations between Tsarnaev and his wife from before the bombing. As in, they were not prerecorded, they were not recorded as they were taking place. There was no surveillance set up, but the FBI was able to get ahold of those conversations.

In an interview with Tim Clemente, a former FBI counterterrorism agent, Clemente stated that "welcome to America. All of that stuff is being captured as we speak whether we know it or like it or not."

So it seems that all digital communication, such as emails, phone calls, texts and chat are recorded as they happen, then stored and are accessible to the government at any time.

Naturally, this has many people freaked out. Why should the government be able to track every word we say or write to someone in private? It is a violation of our rights to privacy.

I discussed this with a knowledgeable smart well-informed individual who informed me that privacy is not our right and it is not stated anywhere in the Constitution. We are protected from illegal search and seizure, which means that a warrant and probable cause is needed to enter and search a home without permission. However, if the government is monitoring our communication without our knowledge and never has any need to use it against us, that is not illegal.

It still bothers me. Seemingly, the government can tap into any cell phone GPS and know where a person it at all times.

As my mother put it, "That makes me feel safe because if I ever need them they will be able to find me."

I guess it is all about perspective.