Privacy vs Security : Europe vs USA

Privacy vs Security : Europe vs USA

Do European governments have a stronger commitment to, and do a better job of, protecting and valuing the privacy rights and concerns of their citizens, where security issues collide with privacy?

It some times looks that way, regardless of who is in power in the USA? What is it about the USA that allows or encourages governments to act in this way?

Or do you disagree, and why?

 

nyt...

 

An interesting topic and one that deserves a debate.

Alas, people prefer to bash Palin. Go figure.

Not sure if I agree or disagree......Seems the US is unwilling to sacrifice many liberties for the return of security as well....

 

Sadly, a valid debate goes untouched.

I guess Palin bashing and corpsemen get the draw.

 

I don't know that I see how 'complaining' that the agreement has failed to protect the privacy of European citizens actually IS violating the privacy of European citizens.

I have to wonder how they reconcile that complaint with the same practices of requiring corporations and other assorted rich people to report the movement of large sums of money.

In the United States, the current President has actually threatened foreign banks if they did not divulge to them the account balances of citizens of this country.

 

I think in most cases sacrificing liberties for security is a fool's game. Once liberties are freely given up to a government entity, the government entity would not easliy give them back.

 

I am unsure what you are saying. The complaint was that the agreement failed to guarantee the privacy rights of European citizens.

Maybe it's about more than that? The issue was enough a new agreement is being hammered out, so you can assume the practices you mention are far different than those proposed in the new agreement.

That is our country keeping track of it's own citizens...still a privacy concern, but nothing like what was proposed.

What are you trying to say?

 

Gun ownership in Switzerland is higher in the USA!


I just figured that was sure to come up in this thread and wanted to get it out of the way

 

I wonder what percentage of guns are handguns?

Then again, I don't really care.

 

In Switzerland it is mostly military rifles the citizens are issued sitting dusty in closets.

Nice stats to quote though.