"Arguing that you don't care about the right to privacy because you have nothing to hide is no different than saying you don't care about free speech because you have nothing to say..." - Edward Snowden
In light of the revelations brought forth by Wikileaks, I felt it necessary to address this issue. The documents brought forth were disturbing and unsettling. Here I seek to answer these two questions. What is the right to privacy? And do all men possess this right?
The right to privacy is the right of every man to his own personal thoughts, words, actions, and solitude apart from anyone else's knowledge or observation. Becuase of the constitution of the United States, the government is restricted from observing, monitoring, or infringing on this right in any other form without warrant. This right, however, is not confined to the United States alone. It is a right possessed by all men, and it must be preserved, especially in the times that are coming.
It is a fact that all men hold the right to their own private affairs, opinions, and conscience. But why must we fight to protect that right?
Historically speaking, the most glaring support for this right is the need for a private citizen's protection from a totalitarian government. It is not just possible, but probable that an authoritarian government might abuse the citizen due to his differing opinions. When all his private thoughts and contemplations are made public, there is nothing protecting him from an exploitation of this information by any character in any form.
Another support for this right would be the fact that when the line between public and private life are blurred, there can be no rest, and no peace for the private citizen. As Voltaire said, "It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong." How much more so when there is no privacy for the citizen to express himself.
How can one be himself when he is under constant monitoring? He cannot. Lack of privacy destroys personal identity by limiting expression. There can be no rest under the constant watch of any man. We can have no peace, only a vain hope that the government will not abuse or exploit the knowledge the hold on us. And if history has anything to say about, it is a vain hope indeed.
Friends, I write to you now from the heart, as honest as I can be. We must protect our right, and unless we demand it, it will not be given. Make your voices heard.
