This afternoon I had an interesting conversation with some friends about the wiretapping that the Bush administration does. It seems that a lot of people in my generation expect that nothing is private any more and a lot of Americans who are 20+ years older than we are horrified at the idea that the government or corporations can see what is on their computer.
Because we are minors, our parents or guardians have always been able to look at our posessions, and our school administrators have the right to search our backpacks and lockers. So we have never really felt the kind of right that the constitution guarantees us in the Bill of Rights.
Here is what it says:
Amendment IV The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
So adult citizens, at least as long as they have been adults, have expected that the government will not search any of their things or papers unless a judge says that there is probable cause for a warrant. The problem is that the Bush administration is saying that if THEY decide that you are the enemy, then they can cancel your constitutional rights. Now we teenagers haven’t expected that our stuff is REALLY private at school or in our family’s houses, but we all expected that it WOULD be after we get our own homes. And that is wrong. It won’t help them catch terrorists but it will erase part of the America we were promised.
—Freckles
Political Teen Tidbits 
October 1, 2006 at 11:48 am
Oh Freckles. I am afraid that we’ve all become a little too comfortable with the idea that our lives are no longer private. Thanks for reminding us of what the constitution actually says.
—Betsy
October 7, 2006 at 4:48 am
I know you’re a bit young to be gambling – especially online and stuff – but if you want to see some INTERESTING political moves done by Congress that will probably effect everyone – check out the PORT SECURITY BILL with the Gambling Attachment by FRIST.
It’s already passed Congress – and is waiting on Bush’s signature.
I think it’s a way to move the country into a Dictatorship – and it is one of the first moves towards it – especially ONLINE CENSORSHIP.
You’re very smart – and I enjoy your commentary so far. Please keep it up – you might just have a decent future in writing!
Wager Witch – http://wagerwitch.blogspot.com
Gambling free bonuses, Industry information, fun casino commentary and no deposit freebies! A visitor of other blogs and commenter on lots of cool people’s sites!
March 22, 2007 at 11:56 pm
It is infuriating enough that you feel your property is not private in school. The idea that freedom is something you are taught you have to wait for goes directly against the constitution.
It is amazing that an amendment can be so damning of our current society.
Realizing that the freedom will never be there must be an interesting experience. I wonder what kind of effect it will have upon the next generation? Will there be more willingness to sacrifice freedom, or a burning resentment and mistrust of authority that persists long into adulthood?