Vaughn Tolle said:

 

Tracy, that essay is tough sledding for sure. Hang in there, you'll make it!

The essay of which Tracy and I have been commenting is very thought provoking, and is quite remarkable in its very effective (IMHO) debunking of the "I've nothing to hide" argument. Briefly, we all have things we would prefer not to be made public, whether violative of law or otherwise. This desire falls within the scope of "privacy", whether recognized judicially or not. Thus, the dangers of the data mining operations undertaken by the government, as well as private industry, to us as a society.

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

Tracy, once you've made your way through the essay, I'd appreciate your critique of my three sentence summary thereof, supra.

 

Tracy Phillips said:

 

Three pages to go....

 

Tracy Phillips said:

 

Done, not much to add to your summary.
"Exclusion" along with Govt hubris and lack of oversight is VERY, VERY SERIOUS.

Imagine that you dissapear tonight on the way home,
due to "extraordinary (sp?) rendition".
What data do they have about you that leads them to believe you are a terrorist?
How do we know what the data is, and is it correct?

The bottom line is that they can collect anything they wish, use it anyway they wish, claim pretty much anything they want to about you, because you are excluded from knowing any of it.

I know for a fact that there is more than one Tracy A. Phillips that is a legal resident of this country.

I wonder what their "profile" contains?

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

Thanks, Tracy for your thoughts. Yep, wonder what the others named Tracy A. Phillips have in their "profile".

Sobering read, wasn't it?

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

I'm posting here for reasons of privacy. Due to my schedule today mainly consisting of meeting with clients at irregular times, some "PR" work, etc., I've not been doing any substantive legal work for most of the day. To fill in my time, I've been reading and in some cases contributing to various blogs over at WE. I've been around a while, and while not a stranger to this type of behavior, I must say I've not seen a bigger display of ignorance, bigotry, ad hominem attacks, and general bad behavior as I've witnessed today "over there".

I'm sure Political_Mom is feeling slighted as I've purposely ignored her attempt to obtain free legal advice. What she posted and asked for, no attorney will respond.

I truly appreciate the opportunity to let off a bit of steam here, secure in the knowledge that we may disagree from time to time but we don't resort to name calling, making up facts, etc. with a view to personal disparagement of one with different views.

Now, we return you to regular programming.

 

lindainks55 said:

 

Although I haven't spent much time on any of the blogs today I do completely understand what you're saying. It is so refreshing to come ask questions, let off steam, share with friends. It feels comfortable and I also appreciate very much the opportunity to have such nice people to talk with! Each of us knows we are who we are, warts and all, and yet we are not just accepted but welcomed.

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

'Preciate it, Linda.

On another matter, I know rm was at his daughter's in Valley Center last night and am wondering if they were evacuated today. Haven't heard from him, so suspect so.

 

lindainks55 said:

 

Have you heard more from rm? Tell him he better say hi more often or I'll think he is avoiding me and my crazy liberal thoughts.

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

Linda, on the phone with him as I "type" this. He survived all the excitement of yesterday in VC, and is home as we speak.

 

rm6046 said:

 

Hi guys ! Been in the hospital in Wichita, and got home just in time to go back for test results. I'm certainly not ignoring anyone, darlin'; I'm just dealing with other things. None of which have been any fun, except for a few laughs -- the staff and the doctors (luckily) at VCSFMC have a great sense of humor and, as bad as this is, we've had some really good times. Anyhow, the bottom line is that whatever will be, will be .... and there's not a damned thing we can do about it, except, hopefully, live through it. Just be sure that I would have much preferred to have been here chatting with ya'll than where I have been. As you have seen by Vaughn's e.mail, supra, I am in touch with him (usually) daily, and he is certainly free to fill anyone who cares enough to ask what is going on, as events progress.

Thanks for your concern, Linda --- but as I sit here, there is a show on television about "freeze-drying" your pets and keeping them on a shelf in the living room, so you can still pet them everyday. Excuse me....please don't, should evrything go south ! :-)