Monthly Archives: July 2013

The world is full of activists, people crusading for one cause or another: political, religious, corporate, technological, personal.

I’m a crusader now, fighting nonviolently for what I believe in. But it’s a strange thing, being a crusader: devoting your time to a cause, actively trying to change other people’s minds too.

I’ve been a crusader once before, several years ago, when I opposed one of the most corrupt, manipulative, and amoral groups on the planet: the so-called “Church” of Scientology. In many ways, that was good practice for what I’m doing now. I learned what it’s like to protest, how to do it effectively, how to operate in the dynamics of a resistance group.

In other ways, of course, my current crusade is different. Whereas Scientology is a small, malignant tumor that ruins a tiny subset of society, the NSA’s overreach has global implications and affects almost everyone alive today. If Snowden’s reports are correct, Britain’s GCHQ is even less scrupulous in its surveillance, and many other world governments – including Australia and Germany – are complicit as well.

In any case, being a crusader gives you a different perspective, pulls you a little outside of ordinary life. You want to grab every person you meet, shake them, scream: “How can you just walk around when THIS is going on?!”

But you don’t, of course.

For one thing, the world is full of crises. A hundred THISes are always going on. If every other crusader stopped me to yell about their own cause, I’d never make it to work in the morning. It would be hypocritical of me to pretend I’m the only one concerned about an important issue. I get that.

What’s more, I don’t want to be That Guy. You know: the friend who’s always bringing up his pet topic. The one that people start avoiding because they’re sick of hearing about it.

So I try to tone it  down.

And yet.

And yet, the NSA really is shredding the Bill of Rights. And yet, the world really is inching its way, slowly, slowly, toward 1984. And yet, we really do have to stop it.

So the crusade goes on. The double life goes on: polite smiles on the outside, fire on the inside, looking for a chance to spread.

Tell me: have you ever been a crusader?

Yesterday I told you about the Restore the Fourth rally in Cleveland to protest the NSA’s massive and unconstitutional domestic spying program. It went forward as planned, and we had a successful event.

I’d estimate 40-50 people showed up, from Cleveland, Columbus, and all over Ohio. Young and old, men and women, conservative and liberal, we stood for the Fourth Amendment and our fundamental right to privacy.

(That’s my wife Betsy holding the RestoreTheFourth.net sign!)

We set up in Edgewater Park around 3:00. Cars driving by slowed down to read our signs, and I was gratified that so many honked in support. Curious people from around the park came over to talk about our message and get photos with us. The atmosphere was friendly, civil, and energetic.

Fortunately, the weather held out, and we only got a few drops of rain. Much cooler than it could’ve been for a July afternoon. The rally lasted about two and a half hours. Response from the public was almost universally positive.

That’s me on the left, and fellow blogger Ben Trube on the right, looking damn stylish in his Matrix shades.

A little light reading on the job.

Of course, this wasn’t just about Cleveland. Similar protests were going on all over the country, with hundreds gathering in New York City, D.C., Boston, and San Francisco. We got coverage from NBC, CNN, Fox News, BBC, Reuters, the Guardian, and CNET. We even got official recognition from the NSA (thanks for spreading the word!)

All in all, a good first step. But only the first step. We need to spread the word about what the government is doing. We need to demand respect for the rule of law and the Fourth Amendment. Talk to your friends, write to your representatives, and go to RestoreTheFourth.net for more information.

Also, I added a permanent tab at the top called “NSA Domestic Surveillance.” It gives a simple, straightforward breakdown of what’s happening, why you should care, and how we can turn it around.

This country belongs to the people. Let’s keep it that way!

Today, I’ll be protesting the NSA’s illegal and dangerous domestic spying program. I’ll be fighting to protect our Fourth Amendment right to privacy.

My wife Betsy, and my good friend Ben Trube, will be joining me at the rally in Cleveland. It’s a four-hour round trip, and we’ll probably be standing in the rain. Not necessarily your idea of a fun holiday. So why are we doing it?

We’re doing this to protect the future of all Americans. If you own a cell phone, the NSA is tracking your calls: who you call, and when, and where. That’s not paranoia, that’s a fact. They’ve admitted it publicly. And they don’t think you should be worried.

Well, I’m worried.

I don’t want to live in a country that treats the Fourth Amendment like toilet paper. I don’t want the government taking notes every time I call my mom.

The U.S. is not a dictatorship. But we’re building the foundation for one. And this Independence Day, I’m demanding that it stop.

Fortunately, I’m not alone. Restore The Fourth is a nationwide grassroots organization that’s gained enormous momentum in the past few weeks. They organized the Cleveland protest and other rallies across the country.

I stand with them proudly, because they stand for all of us.

I’ll post photos and a full write-up of the event tomorrow. Happy Fourth.