Why we should never rely on the benevolence of the powerful

Why am I paranoid about things like the Homeland Security ministry and the Patriot Act? Because history shows over and over that once the government has a tool, they will use it in whatever way suits their goals, whether or not those goals were behind the creation of said tool. Case in point: Homeland Security apparently now includes copyright enforcement (or maybe just the intimidation of small-town toystore owners, to "set an example") . . .

Six weeks after her brush with Homeland Security, Cox told The Oregonian she is still bewildered by the experience. "Aren't there any terrorists out there?" she said.

(via This Modern World)