DO NOT READ THIS.

I warn you, this post will be under investigation. Ever wonder how the Patriot Act and it's sister number 2 has or will affect you? Well, here ya go. The FBI has a program called Carnivore that searches internet and email traffic for "buzz words." This is the one we know of, there must be many other such programs circulating. It is a direct offense to your civil liberties and we will discuss why below.
If you were on AOL in the early 90's you must remember their crackdown on pornographic material. They installed a program that searched for "dirty" conversations and material. IT would search for kid and sex in the same sentence. It babnned the word pussy and many other supposed 'curse' words. All of this is the name of over-protective parents worried about their kids. (Apparently just good parenting doesn't work anymore.) Well, what happened was curious. Somehow, the Breast Cancer Survivors group got shut down. For using the word breast, self-examination, nipple and others, this great support group was shut down. The very thing the internet is good for: bringing people together across the world, providing support and information to all for relatively fee and giving that much needed interaction; was all wiped out. By the way, 'pussy' prevented the Arbor association from net meeting because of the pussy willow tree. It took a fight and some time to get it reversed, but there was no apology, there was no recant. Just a woops.

Now, concerning the war on Iraq, Bin Laden, Al Qaeda, Zarqawi, Al Sistani and the notes they video and post. Where does the news quote from? "Today, Bin Laden released a statement through a militant website stating that: blah blah blah..." What the hell does that mean? What was the website? Has it been verified? Why can't I see it? When was it posted? This is where it is dangerous to read further. So, Stop now.

I am a researcher of all things. I enjoy knowledge. I like to read, for myself, what has been said or written. Not the capsulized version the news gives you. Well, if I wanted to find that website, I would fall under the Patriot Act statute. The company line is: "Why would a good American want to see that site, that video, that statement. It's propaganda! If you want to find the beheading video, you must be interested in their cuase. " And therefore: you are under scrutiny.
This is the America we live in today. Do not be fooled and do not listen to those who say that our government wouldn't do that. We can't get a completely verified figure, but as of last Septmeber there were no less than 230,000 American citizens who were "being examined closely-persons of interest." There have been 1,000's of Muslim/Arab Americans who were interrogated after 9/11. There are at least 660 illegal dtainees in Guantanamo right now without benefit of counsel and could be held indefinitely.
So, if you want to learn about Muslim traditions or the Arab plight or find yourself looking to brush up on some world events on your own (not cleared by the department of information), you might want to wait.
By reading this, you are in the carivore area. By writing this I have used at least 25 references that will ensure this gets read by somebody up there. Well, here is what I would like you to read. Give us freedom. We may help you. Give us our country back. You cannot win this war alone. You have proven that. Let some us learn and debate and help you shape a better world for everyone. Not just the U.S., but all citizens of the world.

It's sad. I am not proud to be an american today. If I am not here tomorrow, check Cuba.