Your Guilty – I Know It and My Hand Picked Team Knows It Too

I don’t like unauthorized wiretaps for the same reasons I don’t like random drug tests in the work place.

First of all, random drug testing removes from ‘local’ management any requirement to do their job and manage their problem employees by shifting that responsibility to ‘security’ and the random drug test that may or may not occur.  The better way is to train management to recognize employee behavior that is drug related.  Then the local impartial manager goes to human resources (HR) for confirmation of their suspicions.  If HR agrees, then they can authorize a drug test for the employee. 

Second, random drug testing implies everyone is guilty until they prove they are innocent.

Third, is random really random?  Is it applied to all employees or just non management? Is there built in bias?

Fourth, it’s an easy out for local management (i.e. it’s not my job).

I don’t like unauthorized wiretaps for the same reasons I don’t like unauthorized searches by police. Again, there is no oversight by an impartial party.   Again, there is an assumption of guilt by someone in a position of power.   Again, there is possible bias due to other circumstances that have no real bearing on the current situation.  Again, unauthorized is easier than getting authorization.

I don’t like unauthorized wiretaps for the same reasons I don’t like torture.  Again, there is no one but the all powerful accuser.  Again, guilt is assumed by those corrupted by power.  Again, there is bias that is amplified by prison circumstances.  Again, authorization comes easy – it’s done in secret.

I close with a couple of quotes from George Bush when questioned about unauthorized wire taps:

“I swore to uphold the laws. Do I have the legal authority to do this? And the answer is, absolutely.”

“I think I’ve got the authority to move forward. I mean, this is what — and the attorney general was out briefing this morning about why it’s legal to make the decisions I make.”

“This new threat required us to think and act differently. ”

Has the President gotten any impartial input on the issue? Is he assuming guilt from the start? Is there a bias from his heritage and his team? Aren’t his means the easiest way to his ends?