Cherish and protect your privacy

To the editor:

Surveillance practices are being entrenched into American life. I just flew where I prepared by leaving otherwise innocuous items at home, kicking off my shoes, removing my belt and other metal possessions and sheepishly tiptoeing through a scanner. I did so willingly, understanding the impact of the 9/11 attacks on our concerns about security.

Benjamin Franklin is credited with saying, "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty or Safety." Today, those who defend our ever-growing surveillance society respond that if you aren't doing anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about. Are we sheep being led to slaughter?

The great cities of Chicago and New York City have thousands of cameras recording every event on every street corner. Many municipalities are installing red-light cameras, and our state is considering monitoring speed by spying on interstate travel. Ignore for the moment that nowhere has it been proven these methods work beyond generating revenue for someone.

To use a proverb, who's going to watch the watchers? Remember, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Privacy protects us from those who would abuse the privilege. I cherish my privacy. I don't want to be observed, and I especially don't want to be recorded. Do not spy on me. We must fight for privacy, especially when we have nothing to hide.

RANDY DUNN, Oak Ridge