It's not a question of equivalence, but attitude. When slavery was permitted by law, many reasonable law abiding citizens accepted it. Still, you might want to rethink what constitutes "human bondage." Many years after American abolition of slavery, your civil rights movement was still necessary.
Citizens require protection from the state ~ Civil Rights ~ because the state can't be trusted. Certainly not to interpret nuance. Even with civil rights written in law, we've seen how quickly they can be done away with. Erosion of civil rights and constant surveillance strips people of the human right of privacy, and imposing its own form of bondage. At minimum, constant surveillance puts a chilling effect on freedom.
From what you wrote, I am quite sure your father sees himself as one of the good guys, just as I am quite sure he has never yet had personal cause to fear the state. How many Americans can say that, I wonder?
Has he considered what country he would be living in today if the British Government had had NSA capabilities in 1776? Or if Adolph Hitler had had the capability to do what the NSA is doing today?
Even if you Americans are fine with being watched by your own government, many citizens of foreign nations don't appreciate it.
Here in Canada we have enough to worry about from our own government. Up here, Canadian activists, environmentalists, First Nations people and copyright lawyers get labelled "radical extremists" and are very likely subject to government surveillance.
Here in Canada we have enough to worry about from our own government. Up here, Canadian activists, environmentalists, First Nations people and copyright lawyers get labelled "radical extremists" and are very likely subject to government surveillance.
Our countries are not so different, so I expect you are considered a radical in some government circles. It might be an idea to ask your dad if you are on any government watch list.
You didn't compare this issue to the civil rights movement, you're comparing it to slavery. Those are different things and you appear to be conflating them.
I am amazed that you think confronting my father about these issues would be useful. You really think that's going to make an impact on any of these causes?
I suspect that my advocacy on any such issue could be better spent elsewhere.
I think you probably didn't read my post that carefully either. You keep saing "you USAmericans" when writing to me, and attributing beliefs that I don't share. This is a standard but quite transparent rethorical tactic.