Reviews from

Lost Privacy--The Cost of Security

Terrorism has stolen my rights

22 total reviews 
Comment from N.K. Wagner
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I thoroughly agree, Ingrid. This is a well constructed essay. I wonder how long it will be before drones and hobby remote controlled airplanes will no longer be sold to the public. Can't compete with the police now, can we? Thought provoking without being alarmist. :) Nancy

 Comment Written 24-Apr-2015


reply by the author on 24-Apr-2015
    When I read 1884 as a teen, I could not imagine the world as Orwell wrote about it, and now, I can't fathom what 2024 will be like. Thanks for the stars.
Comment from GWHARGIS
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

it's funny. My son who is in the Army here in the States, will not say anyting about the government when we're on the phone. He is convinced that they are listening. I comply with his wishes and we talk about family and sports, history and writing. He used to tell me about the monitors they watched while he was in Afghanistan. He said you could see a pimple on the ass of a terrorist who was squatting in a field a mile away. 9/11 did change everything. But even so, technology is still having difficulty keeping up. It wouldn't surprise me hat these flu shots we are having to get aren't something that the government has concocted. They certainly don't keep you from getting the flu. LOL. Great essay. Good luck in the contest. Gretchen

 Comment Written 23-Apr-2015


reply by the author on 23-Apr-2015
    He is right. It is likely a random event, the listening, but I have no doubt that they listen in to check on the soldier's state of mind. Thanks for the bouquet of stars.
Comment from petalangela
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

It is a very topical post and reflects what most sane people are becoming concerned about then there is Monsanto..... And the chemtrails denied of course. But no planes have every left chequer board patterns that don't dissapate in the past. Have we become the guina pigs the entertainment of the rich fanatics. My mind boggles and this piece of writing ads food for thought

 Comment Written 23-Apr-2015


reply by the author on 23-Apr-2015
    My mind also boggles, even I can't imagine where the world is going. Thanks so much.
Comment from Brett Matthew West
Good
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

So, what I assume I can take away from this writing is in having stated these remarks that you would much rather live in the Arab world than enjoy the freedoms you have here and all this great country has to offer? That definitely is my first question. Each their own I suppose. This had absolutely no interest to me because I am a proud United States Army Veteran who fought to give you the rights to free speech you would not enjoy in other countries that are far "less restrictive" than this great one is. That is the bad side of my review. Now for the good side just so it is a fair review: Message not hard to follow.

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 23-Apr-2015


reply by the author on 23-Apr-2015
    In response to your review, may I first say that I am a widow of a veteran. Second, while I respect all military men and women who go to war, you didn't fight for me. I am a Canadian.

    Your opening comment is offensive and indicative of a brain-washed point of view to defend war at all costs. Tell that to the Nam vets, who just like you went to war to be spit upon, rejected and humiliated when they returned after doing their service.

    To disagree and show LOGICAL ad INTELLIGENT disagreement in a review is always welcome, but to simply denounce an extremely well written essay of not being of any interest to you and tell me to go fry in the desert, indicates you may have some difficulty understanding the reviewing system and rating process. I'm sure you can receive some enlightenment by reviewing the QA portion on this site.
Comment from Jay Squires
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

but I was damn happy to be going home. [I don't know how colloquial you are intending this, but if you want grammatical correctness it should be "damned". It's up to you. The problem I have with intentionally going against convention is the objector may assume you don't know better.]

, gathered by Google based on my Internet history, and sold to subscribers who target me as a potential customer. [This is especially scary for writers who use Google to research their stories or essays. Why, I remember when I was writing an article on pornography ... Just kidding about that.]

But that's government's job. If the only way they have to carry this burden is by treating me like a potential criminal, then the cost is my mistrust of my country's leadership. I have been robbed of my peace of mind.
[What a staggeringly accurate last sentence to your essay.

This, as is most of your work, is 6-worthy. But I am 6-insolvent. Sorry, Ingrid!

 Comment Written 23-Apr-2015


reply by the author on 23-Apr-2015
    I did mean that damn the way I might think/say it, but your point is very well taken. I don't want to diminish the points by someone's interpretation of my ;knowing better.' I changed it.

    I thank you very much for the intent and the flattery that I have lapped up.
Comment from Dom G Robles
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I find this essay very informative and very interesting. There are things that I'm sure, have not been heard much before. The drones, for example, the GPS, and other scientific instruments that came after the the 911 incidents. There was panic, and some reactions were a little exaggerted. At that time, airports have been secured with too much extra rules and regulations.

True we needed caution and protection, a cerrtain extent but not much to jeopardize us in our regular routine.

Thank you, Ingrid for sharing. I want to read more of your talents and savor the beauty of your pen. Until next week or first week of May, I'll come and visit you again. Congratulations. Dom.

 Comment Written 23-Apr-2015


reply by the author on 23-Apr-2015
    Thank you. I hope your farewell to your friend will turn out to be a celebration of life.
reply by Dom G Robles on 23-Apr-2015
    Thank you. I have to practice and deliver once again as in my old college days . Oratory/oration was one of favorates during my time.
Comment from Millibrad
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

You have written a very thought provoking piece. Technology does have a steep price, but where would we be without it? Our world is rapidly evolving into an alien one in which future generations may find it hard to envision the freedoms lost. I find that more than a little troubling.

 Comment Written 23-Apr-2015


reply by the author on 23-Apr-2015
    I'm reminded f a quote, 'the world was working long before I was born.' where would we be without electronics? Why, surprisingly, I can remember it well. It wasn't so bad. Kids played outside instead of their addiction to tablets, and people didn't answer phones during supper, let alone take them to bed with them. My imagination can't foresee where we're heading. But, I'll say this, it isn't exciting, but rather terrifying. Thanks for reading.
reply by Millibrad on 23-Apr-2015
    As I see it, the problem is technology has evolved, but the humans that use it have not. That is what I find so terrifying.
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2015
    That argument is a great one for an essay. You should do it!
reply by Millibrad on 23-Apr-2015
    Thanks. I might just do that.
Comment from Sasha
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

You did a marvelous job with this. Where will it end? I doubt it will. As long as paranoia breeds hysteria, it is here to stay and will only get worse. You really touched on some important subjects with this one. Do I have the answer, absolutely not. Great work with this one and well deserving of a 6 star rating.

 Comment Written 23-Apr-2015


reply by the author on 23-Apr-2015
    I have no answers, but I do believe in tempered judgement. 'Their' way isn't the only way. For a personal example of raw power, you only have to look at your bank's ambivalent attitude towards your financial loss. Thanks for the stars.
Comment from patcelaw
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I personally feel I have a lot more to fear from an over intrusive government, than I do from terrorists homegrown or foreign. The governments of this world have become paranoid and want to frighten we the people. This is a very good non-fiction write and one we all need to read. Patricia

 Comment Written 23-Apr-2015


reply by the author on 23-Apr-2015
    It's no wonder that we are quick to tear into government corruption or simple error. It's a you-too mentality. Yes, I feel the same. There is no appeal court if Big Brother wants to mow us down. Thanks.
Comment from jpduck
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I thought this was an impressive and comprehensive look at the security versus human rights issues.

'I tried to comfort these people, in my mind wondering how paranoia could turn into mass hysteria.' (Oh come on, this was Texas!)

A couple of SPAGs (* *=insert; [ ]=delete):

'we have or know someone, who has been hacked' (I think the comma should be after 'has' rather than 'someone').

'Then why does that information make[s] me want to avoid the store?'


Adrian


 Comment Written 23-Apr-2015


reply by the author on 23-Apr-2015
    That first comma still has me confused, but I changed both spags according to your eagle eye. Thanks so much. Texans are a paranoid lot?
reply by jpduck on 23-Apr-2015
    Well, I have vaguely gathered, mostly from FS members' comments, that the popular prejudice about Texas is that they are somewhat cerebrally challenged!

    Adrian