[SilverTurtle]

I'm with James & DeltAlum on this. I think James hit the nail on the head.... I just don't trust anyone to use that power fairly & consistently. People make mistakes, and people like power.

My mom is one of those people who says "I don't have anything to hide... if it's going to protect me...". But I think the principle is critical, and once we pass that line, it's hard to turn back.

When I was a freshman, I attended two meetings of the College Democrats on my campus with a couple friends. After that, we decided we just weren't that interested and forgot about it.

My junior year, George Bush came to campus. I didn't even want to go see the man. But one of my friends did. She called to get tickets (there was limited seating). She had been placed on a "black list" by the College Republican chapter which was partially responsible for bringing him to campus. Because she attended 2 meetings of the College Democrats 2.5 years beforehand. We found out we were all on that list. Even though none of us were active College Democrats and I know that myself and at least one other person was registered "independent" at the time. Even though I didn't want to hear him speak, I was pretty peaved about that.

So what if I participate in a peaceful protest next week to protect some local wildlife. The local law enforcement, following the prompts of the FBI, take my picture. They assemble a profile on me. Nothing on there except a couple traffic accidents. But in two months I'm flying to Wisconsin for a fraternity meeting. It just happens there is a protest planned in a nearby city in Wisconsin. I head through security and I'm flagged as "no fly". I may or may not be allowed to make my trip. Because of my previous actions, even though I was supposedly "protected" by the law.

And if any law enforcement has record of me EVER saying anything against a specific polititician, despite my "free speech", I'm in trouble because they now have an entire dosier on me. Because I might be a threat.

Do I think the above will happen? Not likely. Do I think it *could* happen? Yes. And that's why DeltAlum & James & myself are scared by this news.