Is "Big Brother" Watching Us?
How The Government is Spying On You
Beginning of Surveillance: Watergate
We have seen a huge increase in government surveillance since the Watergate scandal with Nixon in 1972. Nixon and the people in his Administrative offices were trying to cover up what had happened. Those activities included such "dirty tricks" as bugging the offices of political opponents and people of whom Nixon or his officials were suspicious. Nixon and his close aides ordered harassment of activist groups and political figures, using the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The scandal led to the discovery of multiple abuses of power by the Nixon administration, articles of impeachment, and the resignation of Richard Nixon, the President of the United States, on August 9, 1974—the only resignation of a U.S. President to date.
Leave Me Alone
One of the greater parts about the United States for immigrants was to be able to get away from the old world’s wars and not to be sucked into the old ways. What made America special was not only that it was “The Land of Opportunity,” but it also was a place where what a person did with his or her life was his or her own business, and the state was obliged to leave Americans alone, except in cases where a person had criminally trespassed upon someone else’s rights. The 4th amendment prevents unreasonable searches and seizures, but there is no explicit mention of a “right to privacy” anywhere in the Constitution; however, the Ninth Amendment hallows and protects that right: “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”
They See You Rollin'
Goin' for a Stroll?
NSA is Hung Up on Your Phone Calls
Hide Yo Kids, Hide Yo Webcam
NSA Needs a Shovel, 'Cause It's Snowden
Connections to 1984
- The telescreens in 1984 are found everywhere, endlessly playing government approved propaganda and entertainment. Televisions in our society are found everywhere, with government approved media playing 24/7.
- 1984 has cameras and microphones everywhere, constantly watching people. We have security cameras and webcams used to constantly watch people.
- Helicopters spied on citizens in 1984, drones spy on citizens in the US.
- Big Brother knows where citizens are at every single moment, and the GPS in our phones can be used by the government to know where we are at every single moment.
Our Opinions
Kim: I don't like it, but I don't see how there's anything I can do about it.
Holly: I don't think it's right, but I can see how it would help get crime down.
Andie: I don't really care what they do because they aren't stopping anytime soon.
Quinci: Honestly, it is what it is so I don't care.