National Security Letter Gag Orders

[athelind]

From The Washington Post:

Living under the gag order has been stressful and surreal. Under the threat of criminal prosecution, I must hide all aspects of my involvement in the case -- including the mere fact that I received an NSL -- from my colleagues, my family and my friends. When I meet with my attorneys I cannot tell my girlfriend where I am going or where I have been. I hide any papers related to the case in a place where she will not look. When clients and friends ask me whether I am the one challenging the constitutionality of the NSL statute, I have no choice but to look them in the eye and lie.

Remember, if you haven't done anything wrong, you don't have anything to hide.

Um, unless they tell you to.

Comments

[perlandria.livejournal.com]

And we're a Christian Nation (so I hear). (think of the children!!1!11)(starts goose-stepping)

Really, what does the Heartland TM think of a situation that forces someone to sin?

[jirris-midvale.livejournal.com]

Well I think that's easy enough to answer. When the going gets tough, the morals aren't tough enough to follow. America is beset by enemies on all sides -- they aren't gonna play by nice rules, so we shouldn't have to either!

Ethics mean nothing if you're not willing to temper them in the heat of crisis.

[yourbob.livejournal.com]

But lying isn't always a sin according to
http://www.fortifyingthefamily.com/Righteous_Lying.html

And besides, you can always ask for forgiveness and receive instant absolution, no questions asked, no matter the sin.

Even if you've killed hundreds of thousands because you're a lying prick with a chip on your shoulder (or a shrub).

[perlandria.livejournal.com]

D'oh! I've been hanging around Heathens too long. I keep forgetting the Get Out Of Consequence Free Card. Absolution is a fantastic idea, but often poorly applied? Too bad Iraq can't demand Weregild of Halburton?

[hedgegoth.livejournal.com]

Anyone wanna tell me when I emigrated to preglasnost russia? I could have sworn my visa said I moved to America...

I can't even begin to express my disgust with the way the republicans have eroded and ignored the constitution.

[hafoc.livejournal.com]

I am Paying Attention.

[thoughtsdriftby.livejournal.com]

Seems you should burn the letter immediately, unopened and then flush the ashes. Do not act on it or acknowledge ever receiving it to anyone (including any government agents, they might just be testing you). Nope, always best go as if the letter had never been written to preserve our national security. The people who put us at risk by opening and reading these letters are part of the threat we face.