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Opening Arguments

. . . and we're not gonna take it anymore

Indiana is in the vanguard of the anti-1984 movement:

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Angry over revelations of National Security Agency surveillance and frustrated with what they consider outdated digital privacy laws, state lawmakers around the nation are proposing bills to curtail the powers of law enforcement to monitor and track citizens.

Their efforts in at least 14 states are a direct message to the federal government: If you don't take action to strengthen privacy, we will. 

[. . .]

In Indiana, legislators have put forward a bill that would ban the warrantless use of a portable device that can track cellphone movements within a mile, as well as the numbers of incoming and outgoing calls and text messages. Indiana lawmakers also want to use warrants to limit the use of tracking devices and surveillance cameras.

"You could get to the point where you're just tracking everyone's car just for the fun of it," said Republican Rep. Eric Koch.

I haven't done any editorials about this, but I've written a few about the trend it's a part of -- states finally getting fed up with the federal government's overreach and trying to take some of their power back.  That includes the movement to get two-thirds of the states to demand a constitutional convention authorized by Article V of the Constitution. Indiana Senate President Pro-Tem David Long was in on the beginning of that effort, and it's gaining momentum. All of this mightfizzle out, but I think we're in for some interesting times meanwhile. The number of people finally aware of the government's abuses is growing. The tipping point may be near.

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