Ken Schram: '1984' is almost here

Ken Schram: '1984' is almost here

Tools

Story Published: Jun 2, 2008 at 12:55 PM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 9:01 PM PDT

By Ken Schram

Watch the story
SEATTLE -- We are sleepwalking into a surveillance society.

And Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels is leading the catatonic march.

His plan for installing more video cameras in more city parks later this year is whizzing through the political process with nary a dissenting voice to be heard.

I don't get it.

I don't get that people are quietly willing to let the government spy on us as we go about our daily routines.

Under the guise of deterring crime, a city parks committee approved spending $850,000 for about a dozen new cameras to be set up in parks where illegal activity is a fairly well known commodity.

Members of the city council have said they doubt the surveillance will actually deter crime, but on the off-chance it might, are expected to give the expanded peep system a green light.

There's a ringing endorsement for you.

And then there are the folks who blithely state that if you're not breaking the law, you have nothing to worry about.

Right. And if you've got nothing to hide, just let police search your house whenever they feel like it.

We'd better wake up to the fact that George Orwell's "1984" is almost here.

Have something to say to Ken? E-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com.

And be sure to join Ken, along with John Carlson, on "The Commentators", which airs every weekday from 3-6 p.m. on AM 570 KVI.

It's a lively exchange of information, insight and perspective with two guys who don't agree on much, but still manage to enjoy each other as they tackle issues of the day. Even better, callers are invited in on the verbal action.

Weather & Traffic

Icon
Current Temp 63.0 °F
Mostly Cloudy
More Weather

Weather & Traffic

More Weather

On Demand

Resources and info you need to prepare for the switch to DTV.

Stay Connected

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Marketplace