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Originally Posted by host
When I post anything on here, I now do so possessed with the knowledge that
HALX is compelled by the federal government to turn over any information he
has about me, from his site's IP logs, and from the personal information that I
supplied in the course of registering for TFPmembership. HALX is prohibited,
under the threat of prosecution from disclosing whether the government has
inquired about me, and whether or not he has supplied that information about
me to the government in response to that inquiry.
My knowledge of this possibility discourages me from practicing my formerly
less restrictive free speech rights on this forum, because I have to presume that I am already under surveillance because of the tone of dissent and contempt for the criminality of the Bush administration, lawfully expressed in my posts.
Here's some more info, supplied by the very organization that Jerry Falwell specifically aims to marginalize, an organization fair minded enough to represent the interests that it has in common with it's critic, Rush Limbaugh.
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I don't think the ACLU is one to be criticizing anyone about data collection practices:
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A.C.L.U.'s Search for Data on Donors Stirs Privacy Fears
he American Civil Liberties Union is using sophisticated technology to collect a wide variety of information about its members and donors in a fund-raising effort that has ignited a bitter debate over its leaders' commitment to privacy rights.
Some board members say the extensive data collection makes a mockery of the organization's frequent criticism of banks, corporations and government agencies for their practice of accumulating data on people for marketing and other purposes.
Daniel S. Lowman, vice president for analytical services at Grenzebach Glier & Associates, the data firm hired by the A.C.L.U., said the software the organization is using, Prospect Explorer, combs a broad range of publicly available data to compile a file with information like an individual's wealth, holdings in public corporations, other assets and philanthropic interests.
The issue has attracted the attention of the New York attorney general, who is looking into whether the group violated its promises to protect the privacy of its donors and members.
"It is part of the A.C.L.U.'s mandate, part of its mission, to protect consumer privacy," said Wendy Kaminer, a writer and A.C.L.U. board member. "It goes against A.C.L.U. values to engage in data-mining on people without informing them. It's not illegal, but it is a violation of our values. It is hypocrisy."
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Two members of the ACLU board decided to speak out about their actions, and were threatened with being expelled for trying to tell people. These are definately people I want defending free speech
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ACLU Board Member Michael Meyers Speaks Out
MICHAEL MEYERS, ACLU BOARD MEMBER: This is about the free speech of what members to dissent. This is about the ACLU betraying their values, their core values with respect to protection of people to be whistleblowers, the protection of people to speak freely, the protection of our of our privacy of our members and our donors. This is about the ACLU executive director betraying those values by actually signing a certification that says that he would check our employees against a governmental blacklist, something that we've been litigating against, by the way
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The above is part of the transcript of the interview where one of the board members appeared on Bill O'Reiley's show.
I personally think the ACLU is one of the most destructive forces currently opperating in the country. They don't defend free speech, they defend speech that agrees ideologically with their agenda. If Falwell is trying to build up an organization to counteract the ACLU's heinous influence, that makes him a hero in my book.