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Our freedoms are getting less free
I’m not exactly what you’d consider a conspiracy theorist.
There is no grand search for shadows in the corner when I enter a government building, I’m not very concerned about the FBI tapping my home phone and I’m probably one of the few people in the world who believes Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. To top it off, I have little to no problems with the Patriot Act, the happenings at Guantanamo Bay or whatever interogation techniques are being used on terrorist suspects around the world.
Maybe I’m naive. Perhaps I’m just callous. Regardless, I just don’t stay awake at night worrying about whether or not “Big Brother” is watching me sleep. Now, I might be startled from a dream because I find our federal government to be somewhat incompetent from time to time, but that’s another story.
By and large, I live by the mantra that if you didn’t do anything wrong, you really have nothing to worry about.
That being said, I am a bit alarmed by a report I stumbled across on CNN.com the other day. According to their story, “The FBI is gearing up to create a massive computer database of people’s physical characteristics, all part of an effort, the bureau says, to better identify criminals and terrorists.”
The story goes on to report that the FBI already has 55 million sets of fingerprints at their disposal — and they now want to add palm prints, scars, tattoos, iris patterns and facial shapes to their database.
Am I the only person unnerved by this?
Look, I want to feel safe as much as the next guy. Yes, I’m afraid of terrorists, and I’m afraid of what another big attack on American soil would do to the very soul of this nation, but I’m also more than a little nervous about a government getting a stronger and more permanent grasp on our personal lives.
This is indeed America. We have the right to practice our religion without repercussion, we have the right to speak our mind in a public venue and we have the right to go to a strip club wearing a fake mustache without being noticed by a surveillance camera that identifies us by facial recognition and catalogs what we did with all those $1 bills hidden in our sock drawers.
Sorry. Bob Bertram is my dear friend, and I stand behind his right to do whatever he wants in his free time, as long as it doesn’t infringe on anyone else’s rights. Well, there is that one weird thing Bob likes to do on Friday nights, but ...
But I digress.
We are in fact a nation that loves to trumpet the basic right that people are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. And so it should be on this issue — if we’ve never done anything wrong, and we’ve never done anything to be considered a risk to national security, then why should we be subjected to around-the-clock surveillance? Isn’t this what we used as ammo in the Cold War — that citizens of the Soviet Union and East Germany didn’t enjoy the same freedoms as us?
I love this nation, but the reasons I love it so much are beginning to be called into question in my mind. I know the argument — we really have no idea who are terrorists and who aren’t, and there’s no guarantee that somebody with an umblemished record won’t eventually go on a killing spree in a mall.
And I agree. But there’s also no guarantee that we will go on that binge — or that we are in sleeper cells waiting to make our move. There has never been a guarantee that some mild-mannered honest citizen won’t snap one night and kill his wife, but we don’t plant cameras in every house to monitor domestic arguments.
At least, I don’t think we do.
Look, if someone gets arrested and charged with a crime, get samples of their fingerprints, DNA, scars, etc. Lock them up in a bamboo box under a hot sun if they’re convicted — personally, I believe prisoners have too many rights, anyway.
But if some young college graduate has to get a background check for a teaching position, that shouldn’t give the government the right to take more than they need to assess the person’s history. They should not be in some secret government file because they wanted to work with kids, if there was no reason in the first place to believe they shouldn’t be trusted with kids.
I fought for this country, as did many of you. We happily risked our lives and offered sacrifice because we believe in the American way of life, and we want to help other people who weren’t as blessed as us to have lived in a nation that allows the freedoms we do.
But I fear that we’re beginning to move away from those inherent rights and freedoms we have enjoyed for so many generations. I fear that as America has grown more and more strong over the years, we are becoming more and more power hungry, and less and less determined to fight for individual’s freedoms. In short, I fear.
Is the next step to implant tiny GPS receivers under all Americans’ flesh to monitor where everyone is at any given time? Are we facing a time where the government automatically scans every e-mail sent back and forth between individuals?
I understand the government’s desire to curb terrorism, and I applaud it. But should we go so far as to take away people’s freedom to protect people’s, well, freedom?
Nope. That cost is too high.
Let’s show a little decorum
After a few months of relative peace, personalities and tension appear to be prevalent once again in Ocean View.
We understand, and actually embrace the notion, that council members will have different opinions on sometimes sensitive issues. That’s how progress happens, and the best decisions are nearly always reached when both sides of an argument are heard, discussed and considered.
But both sides must also be respected — that is clearly not the case right now in the town.
The rancor is abysmal. Our elected officials are supposed to have the best interests of the citizens in mind, as opposed to one-upsmanship amongst their own. Elected officials should set an example on how to behave in town meetings, and how to work together for the better good of the people they represent.
That is not the case in Ocean View right now, and it spilled over to the audience in Tuesday night’s council meeting.
Several members of the audience Tuesday night spoke out of turn, and made loud comments throughout the course of the meeting. Again, we encourage public input and sometimes chastise governmental bodies who don’t let people have their say, but there is a time for public discussion. During the meeting, when council members are in conversation, is not the proper time for such conversation — besides that, it’s rude for others who came to listen to the meeting.
But we can not expect better behavior of town residents at meetings if town officials do not set the proper example. We’ve written it over and over again in this space — the members of the Ocean View Town Council are incredibly smart, committed and creative. But if they are not able to work together, then they are all wasting their individual abilities.
We are calling on the leaders of Ocean View to lead, and not set an example of boorish behavior. People follow their leaders, and right now the leaders are going down a questionable path in terms of behavior in a public forum.
Reasonable adults should be able to discuss differences in a reasonable manner, particularly when the differences impact the lives of the people they were elected to serve.
Martinez throws his hat into Ocean View ring
Editor:
My name is Joe Martinez and I have filed for the 3rd District seat in Ocean View. I am seeking election to the town council because I am not satisfied with the tone of the council and certain town officials. I believe my experience in executive management positions for international consumer product companies and my active leadership roles in community associations will contribute a more productive and responsive service to the citizens of Ocean View.
I have successful experience initiating and maintaining annual budgets in excess of ten million dollars. My background responsibilities include supervising and coordinating the efforts of more than 1,500 employees while generating annual revenues in excess of $500 million. In short, I know how to produce successful results while stressing teamwork and good work ethics.
I am a full-time resident of Ocean View with a home in Savannahs Landing. I am an active member of this community with proud associations in the following organizations: the American Legion, Knights of Columbus, St. Ann’s Men’s Club, the Ocean View Historical Society and the Ocean View Citizens Auxiliary Patrol.
I currently serve as the editor of Savannahs Landing Newsletter, the director of information for the Historical Society, the information officer for the Citizens Auxiliary Patrol and as a local coordinator for the Special Olympics. I am married to my lovely wife Mary for the past 47 years and we have four children and nine grandchildren. We are proud of our family and we maintain strong ties to the community and church.
Specifically, I am concerned about our town’s lack of financial responsibility. As an example: recently, I understand, our town council voted to give our new town manager, who has only six months’ tenure, a substantial raise of approximately $12,000. Councilmen Amendt and Wichmann voted against this inappropriate raise. However, Councilman Thomas, who introduced the motion, and Councilman Nippes, who seconded the motion, and Mayor Meredith voted for this exorbitant and unjustified raise.
This increase brought the town manager’s salary to approximately $77,800 and is funded entirely from your tax dollars. Additionally, the town manager is provided a town vehicle for his personal use. He drives it to and from his residence in Denton, Md. This vehicle and the gas it uses for the round trip is an additional cost to the taxpayers. His base salary of $77,800 and the town vehicle could make our town manager one of the highest paid government employees in the entire state of Delaware.
Are you aware the town manager of Ocean View is presently serving as a town councilman in Denton, Md.? His term is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2010. I believe you will agree that it is difficult to serve as a town councilman in one state and a town manager in another. Are we paying our town manager a lucrative salary and sharing his efforts and loyalty with Denton, Md.?
If you want accountability, common sense and open government, I ask for your vote on Saturday, April 12. Together we can bring back a degree of integrity and common sense. Let’s get Ocean View back on track.
Joe Martinez
Ocean View
Deaver scolds council for treatment of public
Editor’s note: The following letter references the Jan. 29 Sussex County Council meeting, which included a public hearing regarding the proposed J.G. Townsend Village Center — a large shopping center and residential development just outside Lewes town limits. The hearing lasted from mid-morning well into the evening, beginning with a presentation from the developers, and citizens who had planned to speak in opposition were not able to do so.
What happened to citizens in (and outside) of Council Chambers yesterday must never happen again. I hope this is the very last time our government mistreats and disrespects its citizens.
Joan Deaver
Citizens for a Better Sussex
Local polling spots must do better job
Editor:
Awaiting today’s primary I was concerned due to the lack of our communities’ involvement in the process. Outside of last week’s timely editorial in The Coastal Point, you wouldn’t even know that the primary was being held.
But, today, I was shocked when the cars in the Lord Baltimore parking lot belonged to the teachers and not to the voters. Some of the workers inside the polling place admitted that some voters had been initially dissuaded by the full parking lot, fearing long lines. How many voters may have failed to vote because of the same fear? The marquee at Lord Baltimore still had January’s schedule on it.
Voting is not just a right. It is a responsibility. Polling places should be totally dedicated to the voters.
Carol Hughes
Ocean View
Chamber thankful for local support with event
Editor:
On behalf of the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce and the Quiet Resorts Charitable Foundation, I would like to thank all of the businesses and individuals that helped to make our 2nd Annual Winter Blues Ball a great success.
We were pleased to see so many members of our community in attendance to support the Chamber’s Capital Resource Campaign, as well as the Quiet Resorts Charitable Foundation.
I would like to thank Jim Kyger and our presenting sponsor, All States Construction Company Inc., for generously underwriting this event. Thanks also to our table sponsor, PNC Bank. I would also like to thank all who attended the event, as well as the individuals and businesses that donated items and services for our live and silent auctions.
This event would not have been possible without the hard work of our Winter Blues Ball Committee: Co-chairs Audrey Serio and Geri Warren, and Brenda Bove, Aubre Duncan, Susan Lyons and Bob Volpe. In addition, I would like to thank Chamber Tourism Coordinator Patti Klosek and Memorable Milestones LLC for their assistance with planning and decorating.
Thank you all for your support.
Karen L. McGrath, Executive Director
Bethany-Fenwick Area
Chamber of Commerce
DiFebo’s, Cummings family a great help
Editor:
On behalf of the board of directors and our supporters we would like to thank Jeff and Lisa of DiFebo’s, and Mike and Kathy Cummings for their hard work and efforts to raise money for The Justin W. Jennings Foundation’s effort to build Justin’s Beach House. As always, the community support and turnout for the event was great! Mike Cummings of Miken Builders was the guest bartender, and his wife Kathy was the guest chef, with their help we were able to raised over $2,000. A fun time was had by all.
At the age of 17, Justin was diagnosed with brain cancer; he battled with it for two years. Justin died in June of 2000. We understand the importance of family and friends. We now have an extended family in here in Bethany Beach. The people of this community have welcomed us and supported our cause to build a respite home in the area for families fighting cancer. Thanks to the community’s involvement we are close to our goal. We cannot express our thanks enough.
R. Craig Nantais and Mary Ellen Nantais
The Justin W. Jennings Foundation
Reader asks questions about beach project
Editor:
Was the dune built too high for a reason? What would that reason be? What are the other options to be able to see the ocean and surf? Is a taller building, like a condo, worth more in the long run to the town, state, county and real estate companies, since they would be paying more taxes and transfer fees than a single-family home?
Wasn’t there already talk from Bethany’s advisory committee to raise the height restrictions to be able to house more units, to have more people to share in the imminent beach tax that will be imposed to pay to upkeep the new big dune and beach?
Should the people in West Bethany or South Bethany pay the same tax as an oceanfront property? Have there been inquiries by Realtors to purchase oceanfront single-family homes?
Who will financially benefit the most from this “federal beach replenishment project”? How much have you, as a resident, paid for this replenishment project?
Did you know that you will be paying to maintain the beach in the next couple of years, or sooner? If not, why not? Will you be able to afford it? Will you have to move, or mortgage your house to pay the tax?
Speak now or forever hold your peace.
William J. Winkler Sr.
Ocean View
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