The Right to Privacy

Ever since 911 we have seen our rights eroded. We were told that we were essentially on a war footing and needed to have increased security measures. A shocked nation allowed these measures to become permanent: warrant-less wiretaps, the patriot act and airport "security" screening.

Little by little our rights have been trampled upon in the name of safety. The airport security theater started with banning potential weapons on airplanes: box cutters, scissors, nail clippers. It has since morphed many times over and is as useful as the terror level color code.

First of all, these measures do not increase safety. A determined person will always find a way to cause carnage. I do not think we should make it easy for them but we have to be careful not to lose our souls in the process. Since we began to treat people like guilty parties; with x-rays, metal detectors and pat-downs we have lost a little of ourselves.

The second is that we are always reacting to the last action rather than considering our policies as a whole. An idiot puts explosives in his shoes, so we are asked to remove our shoes. Another idiot tries to mix liquid explosives, nearly blows his face off, now I can't even board with a cup of coffee.

Now that a dude packed his shorts with C4 or whatever we have the pleasure of groping and body scanners. As a free society we can never be completely safe; it is in the nature and the trade-off we must make. The determined saboteur will find a way: things hidden in cavities, explosives in the under carriage and whatever else sick people like that consider.

Some people seem to believe that we are never gonna get anywhere unless we treat the U.S. like a max security prison, however, contraband can be found in even the most secure lock-ups. If we cannot police and control prisoners, who have given up all of their rights as citizens, how can we expect to do better with regular Joes?

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. "

In others words, "don't touch my junk."

St. Lucia '10 Day 3

Fish Friday:

The second full day's breakfast was much like the first, delicious. I walked into the living room to find my uncle deep into a Wimbledon match. Next up was the World cup, I was then witness to Brazil's loss; I could only begin to imagine the tears and anger felt by my bosses wife. Once my uncle relinquished hold of the TV I surfed to see

what the island had to offer.

I kept finding myself being drawn to cat woman, though I did not want to admit it. The movie was bad, however, Halle Berry in a catsuit is awe inspiring. I still believe to this day that the movie was green lighted for the Halle catwalk scene. I exited the Halle-mania to swim for 3

hours.

After watching some more football and writing the first draft of my postcards it was time for fish Fridays. My Aunt Tina's friend brought us to a joint with fresh grilled seafood. We had conch grilled with spices and similarly season grilled snapper.

I went to the side kitchen in search of green banana salad for my mom and discovered they also had turtle. This was my first turtle experience, it was quite surprising. It was well seasoned and had a texture and flavor similar to beef. It was then on to the street fair.

My aunt surprised me at the street fair with a chaperon, someone my age and speed, to show me around. We walked around the street fair where I consumed lots of goodies; coconut water, fresh roasted peanuts to name a few. We were out for quite some time listening to new soca tunes and dancing the night away. By the time I'd gotten back home from all the revelry I only had 3 hours before I needed to be at the downtown market.

St. Lucia '10 Day 2

Waking from my mosquitoed, stagnant air, hell hole was almost as painful. I felt violated and downright icky, I needed a shower to remedy my condition. I celebrated the new day with a breakfast of champs: banana, mango and st lucian white bread.

With proper food in my system I was able to take the first step in "Operation Mail Postcards," I purchased several different ones from a mall. I soon conquered the market aisles to acquire local confections whilst visiting and petitioning friends of the family for treats in exchange for my presence. The fun and frivolity was only broken when I found myself at the shop of one of my grandma's friends who had fallen on hard times. Her pride would not allow her to say why her shop was without electricity.

After returning to my Aunt's place the next stop was the beach; the turqouise waters stretched as far as the eyes could see and the beach ent on forever north and south. The waters were cool and calm, the perfect way to wrap a day. Tried out a restaurant called "Delirius" to close out the night but found it lacking authenticity. My Aunt Tina has more local connections than my mom and promised me a tour of the market at its height.

I walked around the corner from Delirius to a small stand in order to get grilled bake for local infusion but they had run out. My Aunt could see people gathering just down the street and suggested we check it out. We found out that it was a band preparing to play local music. Once the music started the crowd was up from their seats and wining their cares away. I was merely an interested observer with a small piton in hand.

Random thoughts

An untitled poem I wrote back in March 2009...

[Untitled]

the possibilities are endless
lives touch and cross through the ages
me, you, her and him
we each progress in our own time
false choices and pitfalls
path littered with mistakes
people we take for granted
the mistake is not taking a chance
in you, me, her and him
the possibilities are endless
but we all have one destiny
and i'd like to make you mine