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[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

Gloria, 

It is rarely happens that I receive an e-mail that changes my mind on an 
important matter. This e-mail of yours is one of those rare times.

Thank you.

Gene


On Feb 21, 2010, at 12:28 PM, Gloria Morris wrote:

> It is odd how those of us who do not care for the concept that others 
> can potentially read our email have to defend ourselves in online 
> discussions. It should never be necessary to apologetically say "I have 
> nothing to hide" when mentioning a concern about privacy issues. But it 
> is. Because in almost every on-line conversation about privacy, if 
> anyone mentions a concern, in most forums there is a very high 
> likelihood that someone will say "I'm not worried about what Google <or 
> insert other entity, including the government> has on me because I HAVE 
> NOTHING TO HIDE." The inference is that anyone who gives a rat's ass 
> about privacy must be a criminal or have something to hide. Our society 
> has gone from valuing individual freedom (and privacy) to practically 
> demanding full body searches of innocent people in order to fly on an 
> airline in the name of safety, and to fully accepting that our entire 
> identities should be openly entrusted to a corporate entity or to the 
> government.
> 
> I still like the motto "Live Free or Die!" Over the course of my 
> lifetime, I have watched the steady erosion of both privacy and 
> individual freedom. People have been slowly conditioned not to care 
> about personal freedom or privacy any longer. Sad but true.
> 
> I don't feel we should apologize for not wanting someone reading our 
> mail, whether snail or e. Who would feel comfortable seeing someone 
> reading their mail out of their mailbox along the road? Even if they 
> have nothing to hide? If it is no big deal, then why would that action 
> be a federal crime? How is it any different with email? Nowadays, more 
> business is conducted via email than snail mail. Many things which are 
> of a private nature are dealt with online. And yet with email, a hacker 
> or errant Google employee could access yours without your ever seeing 
> them rummaging through your virtual mail box. Concern for privacy, in my 
> mind anyway, is not a sign of a criminal mind, scheming to hide dark 
> secrets, but a matter of prudence.
> 
> Gloria
> 
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